Charlestown Mayor Bob Hall signed a proclamation on Friday, September 16 at Charlestown High School, proclaiming September 26-30 College Go! Week. The annual state-wide campaign offers practical tips and resources to help Hoosier students of all ages plan for college and career success.

by MICHAEL ROSS
Staff Writer
Green Banner Publications
Last Friday night as many high school football fans filled stadiums across the area, fans of the Dragons of Silver Creek and the Pirates of Charlestown piled into Dutch Reis Field for something never witnessed before. In the history of athletics at the two schools there had never been a recorded varsity game on the grid iron. The history making game, a designated home game for the Dragons due to issues with their football field, proved lots of offense for the Pirates and lots of heart shown from both teams. Charlestown collected over 600 yards offensively on their rival Dragons to cruise to the 67-18 Mid Southern Conference victory. The win pushed the Pirates to 3-2 overall and 3-1 in the Mid Southern Conference. The Dragons fell to 0-5 on their first varsity football season since 1942.
The first stanza seen the Pirates reach the endzone four times including two rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown  to junior Wesley Sexton from junior quarterback Aaron Daniel. Pirate junior runningback Seth McCutchen also found the endzone in the opening 12 minutes of play. Charlestown held the 26-0 lead after the first quarter of the ballgame.
It only took the Pirates 81 seconds to find the endzone in the second quarter as McCutchen found the goal line from two yards out. Daniel tacked on the extra point for the 33-0 lead. The Pirates defense then closed out the scoring in the first half. Silver Creek sophomore quarterback Brooks Howell was picked off by Charlestown junior Justin Conrad. Conrad returned the interception 61 yards to pay dirt. Daniel split the uprights for the 40-0 Pirate advantage.
The third quarter opened with Charlestown’s Daniel hooking up with classmate Tyler Odle for a 60 yard catch and run to the endzone. Daniel’s extra point attempt was good for the 47-0 Pirate lead at the 11:46 mark of the third period.
Charlestown would find the endzone one more time before the Dragons as Daniel hit junior wide receiver Cody Donahue for the 56 yard touchdown strike. Daniel’s extra point attempt failed for the 53-0 Charlestown advantage at the 8:23 mark of the third quarter.
The Dragons needed less than a minute and just two plays to find the endzone for the first time in the ballgame.
Silver Creek’s Howell found classmate Shawn Pezzullo for a 33 yard catch and run. The two point conversion fell short of the goal line for the 53-6 Charlestown advantage.
Charlestown needed three plays of their own to find the endzone. Daniel added six for the Pirates with a 74 yard touchdown run. His extra point attempt was good for the 60-6 Charlestown lead at the 5:50 mark of the third stanza.
The Dragons came storming back as Howell hit senior wide receiver Grant Meyer for an 86 yard touchdown strike. The two point conversion attempt failed for the 60-12 Charlestown lead.
The Pirates then needed just 24 seconds to find the endzone for what proved to be their final time of the night. McCutchen barreled his way six yards to the endzone. Daniel nailed the extra point attempt for the 67-12 Pirate lead.
Silver Creek recorded the last touchdown of the evening at the 9:38 mark of the final 12 minutes of play. Dragon junior Lane Taylor sprinted 38 yards to pay dirt. The two point conversion attempt failed for the 67-18 Pirate win.
Charlestown was led by McCutchen with 181 yards on 16 carries. Daniel collected 161 yards on nine carries. He went 10-for-13 for 246 yards and three touchdowns. Odle recorded five catches for 126 yards and one touchdown. Donahue had two catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. Sexton recorded one catch for 30 yards and a touchdown.
Silver Creek was led by Taylor with 132 yards on 28 carries and one touchdown. Taylor also recorded one pass for 30 yards. Howell recorded 191 yards in the air on 14-of-24 passing for two touchdowns. Meyer recorded two receptions for 116 yards and one touchdown. Pezzullo recorded three receptions for 44 yards and one touchdown.
Charlestown ended the ballgame with 621 total yards as Silver Creek recorded 303 total yards.
“I was waiting for a game like this. It was one of those games that nothing was clicking,” stated Silver Creek head coach Mike Donahue after the game Friday night.
Charlestown head coach Jason Hawkins stated, “We played really well tonight. Our defensive line played good. We  had a lot of kids on defense step up and play really well and our offensive line played really well tonight too.”
Silver Creek will travel to Clarksville this Friday night for another Mid Southern Conference contest. Kick off is set for 7 p.m.
Charlestown will host their Homecoming festivities this Friday night at Dutch Reis Field. The Lions of Salem will invade the Bone Yard for a 7 p.m. kick off.