Yesterday in the presence of family, friends, and coaches, 2024 Charlestown graduate Clay McClelland signed his celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play football at Knox College in the fall.

The eighty-two acre campus which was founded in 1837 is located in Galesburg, Illinois just 45 miles from Peoria in the midwestern part of the state. With approximately 1,100 students enrolled, Knox is home to nearly 100 majors and minors.

Knox College competes at the NCAA Division III level in the Midwest Conference which also includes Beloit College (Wisconsin), Cornell College (Iowa), Grinnell College (Iowa), Illinois College (Illinois), Lake Forest College (Illinois), Lawrence College (Wisconsin), Monmouth College (Illinois), and Ripon College (Wisconsin). Knox is home to sixteen varsity sports including men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming & diving, and track and field, as well as men’s baseball and football, and women’s softball and volleyball.

When asked about his choice to play at Knox College with the Prairie Fire, McClelland replied, “I chose Knox College because I felt valued to go there. The coaches want nothing but the best for their athletes on and off the field. Even though it’s five and a half hours away, once I am there, it feels like a second home which is very nice considering I’m not away from home very much.” He will major in business but looks to entertain other minors or options once he’s on campus.

Charlestown football coach Jason Hawkins expects big things for McClelland at Knox. He said, “Clay is a hard worker and a great kid, but his best trait for the collegiate level is that he can flat play football. He is a true warrior on the field and we will miss that.”

McClelland no doubt has left his mark on Charlestown Football earning places in the record book for the Single Game Passing Percentage (100% – 8 for 8 – 117 yards vs Salem in 2023) as well as 2nd All-Time in Career Passing Yards (4,671) and Passing Touchdowns (48), and 10th All-Time in Career Rushing Yards (2,828).

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Clay and wishes him a healthy and prosperous future at Knox College.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff member Aiden Stewart.

Seated left to right: Brandi French (Ethan’s mother), Ethan, Mike French (Ethan’s father) and standing left to right: Jason Hawkins (CHS Head Football Coach) and Dylan French (Ethan’s brother).

Last evening in the presence of family, friends, and coaches, 2024 Charlestown graduate Ethan French signed his celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play football at Hanover College in the fall.

Nestled in 650 acres of a wooded campus and located on the banks of the scenic Ohio River, Hanover College is a private, liberal arts institution where brains and beauty truly intersect. Their rigorous interdisciplinary academic program with 34 majors attracts the best and the brightest from across the region and beyond.

Hanover College competes at the NCAA Division III level in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, including Anderson University, Bluffton University (Ohio), Defiance College (Ohio), Earlham College, Franklin College, Hanover College, Manchester University, Mount St. Joseph University (Ohio), Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology & Transylvania University (Ky.) Hanover is home to twenty varsity sports including men’s and women’s basketball,  cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track and field, men’s baseball, football and swimming, and women’s softball and volleyball.

When asked about his choice to play at Hanover College with the Panthers, French replied, “I chose Hanover for the proximity to my home. I can come home on any given weekend while also living the college life and continuing my dream of playing college football. I am in love with the academics as well as the football coaching staff. Overall, Hanover was the best fit for me.”

Charlestown football coach Jason Hawkins expects big things for French at Hanover and attributed much of his success and opportunity to French’s hard work in the classroom and on the football field. He commented, “Ethan is a great kid who will thrive in the classroom and on the football field. We are super proud of him and look forward to watching all of his success.”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Ethan (also a valued member of the WPMQ Sports Broadcasting staff) and wishes him a healthy and prosperous future as a Hanover College Panther.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff member Aiden Stewart.

Seated L to R: Nikki Berkley (Devin’s mother), Devin, and Jonathan Berkley (Devin’s father); Standing: Coach Jason Hawkins

Recently in the presence of family, friends, and coaches, Charlestown senior Devin Berkley signed his celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play football at Indiana Wesleyan University in the fall.

Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christian comprehensive university of The Wesleyan Church. It is the largest private college in Indiana, based on enrollment, and is one of the largest employers in Grant County. Nearly 3,000 students are enrolled in traditional programs on the University’s 350 acre campus in Marion where more than 80 undergraduate degrees and an expanding list of graduate degree programs are offered.

Indiana Wesleyan is home to intercollegiate programs in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, cheer, men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and field, men’s and women’s bowling and volleyball.

When asked about his choice to play at IWU with the Wildcats, Berkley-who will major in criminal justice-replied, “I chose IWU because of the Godly and family environment. It embodies a lot of the values that I feel represent me. IWU is a place that felt like home on the first visit.”

Charlestown football head coach Jason Hawkins shared his sentiments on Berkley’s commitment and said, “Devin is a great kid that has worked extremely hard for this to happen. He will continue to grow as a player and person and be someone we can all be proud of. ”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Devin and wishes him a healthy and prosperous future as a IWU Wildcat.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network.

 

Charlestown High School Athletic Department is pleased to announce the celebration of 50 Years of Pirate Football tomorrow evening, October 14, 2022. 

 

The current 8-0* Pirate team will host Mid Southern Conference opponent Eastern (Pekin) for a 7:00 tip off on their senior night. A public recognition of former players, coaches, and managers from the past 50 years is planned and the school’s WPMQ Sports Broadcasting team will provide a special history exhibit to help take you back down memory lane. Long-time Coach John Mastin will be your grand marshal for the evening. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to relish in a special time in Charlestown history!

 

Here is the timeline of events: 

6:00 P.M. – Pirate alumni players meet in the gym to browse the tables of football artifacts and the WPMQ history exhibit. (Coach Mastin will be there as early as 5:00 for anyone who wishes to arrive early and view the upgrades in the school.)

6:10 – Brian Keith will speak about the players he has seen over the years as a kid, a player, and as a broadcaster as well as what it meant to be a Pirate football player for him and his family.

6:15 – Coach Hawkins will speak on what it was like to play against Charlestown, what it feels like to coach the Pirates, and give everyone an update on the current team and  facilities.

6:20 – Coach Mastin’s will reflect on football from the early years to now, what it takes to run a program, relationships over the years, and what it meant to be the long-time coach of the Pirates. 

6:25 – Tony Hall will speak on what it meant to be a player and coach and athletic director at Charlestown.

6:30 – Open Mic for any players or coaches to share their memoirs, practice, best games, and/or best season.

6:45 – Pirate Alumni enter through the pass gate. Family members need to enter through the gate and pay to enter the game. Gather in the high jump area at the east end zone on the field to visit and enjoy the game. Some seating will be available. Senior night recognitions for our Class of 2023 fall athletes and activities will begin at that time as well. (See separate social media post for the details on senior night.)

7:00 – Kickoff

Between Q1 & Q2: Members of 13 MSC Championship teams will be introduced and walk to the midfield. 

Halftime: The Marching Band of Pirates will perform for the first ten minutes. Following the band, all alumni players, coaches, support staff in attendance will be introduced and walk to  midfield.

Between Q3 & Q4:  Members of the four Sectional and one regional Championship teams will walk to the 50 yard line.

 

We look forward to a great night of fellowship and reminiscing and a big Pirate win!  Go Big Blue!

Recently in the presence of family, friends, and coaches, Charlestown senior Connor Smith signed his celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play football at Hanover College in the fall.

Nestled in 650 acres of a wooded campus and located on the banks of the scenic Ohio River, Hanover College is a private, liberal arts institution where brains and beauty truly intersect. Their rigorous interdisciplinary academic program with 34 majors attracts the best and the brightest from across the region and beyond.

Hanover College competes at the NCAA Division III level in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, including Anderson University, Bluffton University (Ohio), Defiance College (Ohio), Earlham College, Franklin College, Hanover College, Manchester University, Mount St. Joseph University (Ohio), Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology & Transylvania University (Ky.) Hanover is home to twenty varsity sports including men’s and women’s basketball,  cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track and field, men’s baseball, football and swimming, and women’s softball and volleyball.

When asked about his choice to play at Hanover College with the Panthers, Smith replied, “I chose Hanover College because of the people,environment,and the culture. From my first visit I knew this was the school I wanted to be at and continue in my academic and athletic career. Coach Theobald made this decision really easy for me and I can’t wait for the next 4 years.”

Charlestown football coach Jason Hawkins told those in attendance at the signing that he expects big things for Smith at Hanover and attributed much of his success and opportunity to Smith’s hard work in the classroom. He commented, “Connor is a good kid that works hard on the field, in the weight room, and the classroom. We look forward to seeing what he does at Hanover.”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Connor (also a valued member of the WPMQ Sports Broadcasting staff) and wishes him a healthy and prosperous future as a Hanover College Panther.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff member Aiden Stewart.

Recently while surrounded by family, friends, and coaches, Charlestown senior Chase Benner signed his celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play football at Georgetown College in the fall.

Georgetown College is a private Christian college in Georgetown, Kentucky. Chartered in 1829, Georgetown was the first Baptist college west of the Appalachian Mountains .The college offers 38 undergraduate degrees and a Master of Arts in education. It offers degrees in areas of visual and performing arts, math and sciences, humanities, language and culture, business, medicine and healthcare, and others.Georgetown College is associated with five Rhodes Scholars and its alumni have included 38 Fulbright Scholars since 1989.

The athletics teams at Georgetown College are known as the Tigers. They participate in the NAIA and in the Mid-South Conference (MSC). Also the Tigers participate in 18 varsity sports.

Benner, who played tight end for the Pirates, will major in exercise science. When asked about his choice to play at Georgetown College with the Tigers, Benner replied, “I chose Georgetown because from the first time I stepped on campus, it just felt like home. From the first moment, Coach Oliver and his staff made me feel like a part of the family. I really like the coaching staff and their goals at Georgetown. It is really good to have one of my friends/old rivals joining me in Trey Schoen from Silver Creek.”

Charlestown football coach Jason Hawkins told those in attendance at the signing that he expects big things for Benner at Georgetown and said, “Chase has a great opportunity to play football at a great program that plays in a good conference.  Chase is smart, tall and has good hands.  I think he will fit in well at Georgetown.”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Chase and wishes him a healthy and prosperous future as a Georgetown College Tiger.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff member Connor Smith.