Pirates Ganged Up On, but Survive at Corydon 13-6
Charlestown has gotten the best of Corydon over their eleven football meetings, 9-2 counting Friday nights win; however sometimes the vacuum of outside forces ruins a good rivalry game, like Friday night at Corydon. The Pirates were penalized eleven times, totaling 125 yards; while Corydon was penalized eight times for 62 yards….but no one had control of the game-especially the officials. Words wouldn’t justify the impact the officials had upon the “game”…so enough about the ugly-here’s the good and the bad. Charlestown scored first, on their second drive of the game, when Garrett Woods caught a 37 yard TD pass from QB Tristan Chester to cap a five play 71 yard drive. Jose Arredondo added the point after to make it a 7-0 advantage, which lasted until 8:34 remaining in the fourth quarter. Wind driven rain and falling temperatures complicated field footing and the passing offense of both teams. A bad Corydon fourth quarter punt set the Pirate offense up on the Panther 25 yard line when Chester went to work again, hitting Cameron Hopson for an apparent 25 yard touchdown pass; but it was overruled as Hopson was called down on the three yard line-even though he caught the ball at the two yard line and back stepped into the end zone. Chester run the ball in for a touchdown on the next play, however the two point conversion attempt failed. Corydon (5-2 & 4-1 MSC) scored on their next drive, greatly assisted by three unexplained unsportsman-like conduct flags against the Pirates. “Unexplained” in this situation should be defined as the officials unwilling to explain the penalty circumstances to Charlestown coaches. The Panthers attempted a two point conversion run, which was snuffed behind the line of scrimmage by the Pirates…..Charlestown 13-Corydon 6 with 4:54 remaining. The Pirates recovered the Panthers ensuing on-side kick and were able to run the clock out to end the game. Charlestown finished the game with a balanced 237 total yards of offense (132 on the ground and 105 in the air); while holding the Panthers to 198 total yards of offense (162 on the ground). Antonyo Gaddie’s returning (from injury) numbers finalized with 103 yards on 25 carries. Garrett Woods finished with four catches totaling 64 yards. The Pirates (6-1 & 5-1 MSC) return home next Friday to host Providence on Senior Night in the Bone Yard.