Pirates’ Air Attack Too Much For Salem
Charlestown played spoiler to Salem’s homecoming Friday Night, improving their all-time series with the Lions to 25-21 with a 40-8 romp. The Pirates (5-1 & 4-1 MSC), and again without leading tailback Antonyo Gaddie (healing a toe injury), switched to a very effective passing attack when Salem’s plan revealed an “all-in” stop run defense. Senior QB Tristan Chester was cool, comfortable and very accurate in the pocket, completing 18 of 23 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns. Charlestown ran the ball a mere 30 times for just over 100 yards, and mainly to cap big pass plays drives for touchdowns. Jarren Anderson and Syd Gieseking lead the Pirates on the ground, accumulating nearly 50 yards and a touchdown a piece. Charlestown put the first two touchdowns of the game in the first, one a 51 yard pass from Chester to Cameron Hopson along the edge of the end zone. Salem put their eight points on the board midway through the second when they executed a halfback pass for a 41 yard touchdown that caught the Pirates off guard. Chester answered with the Pirates before the half, hitting Hopson again for a 21 and a 12 yard strike to take a 26-8 lead at the break. The twelve yard touchdown to Hopson was courtesy of a Salem turnover with just seconds remaining in the first half. The Pirate defense dominated in the second half while Chester led the Pirate offense on long drives for touchdowns in the third and fourth to cap the 40-8 victory. Cameron Hopson had a big night, catching six passes for 106 yards and three touchdowns. Eli Daniel caught 5 for 66 yards and Garrett Woods four for 49 yards. Chester and Hopson shared offensive player of the game honors while Quiton Fetz tallied 15 tackles and a sack to lock the defensive player of the game honor, sponsored by Coyle Chevy, Buick, GMS & Coyle Nissan. The Pirates now prepare for Friday’s showdown at Corydon (5-1 & 4-0 MSC); what promises to be another emotional game as Coach Ward returns to the opposite sideline of his ole’ stomping ground.