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October 3, 2009

FOOTBALL: C-town clinches another MSC crown

BY MIKE RILEY

CHARLESTOWN — Back to back to back Mid-Southern Conference champions.

Four years ago, that wouldn’t have been more than a fleeing thought for a novel. But yes, this is reality after the Charlestown Pirates captured at least a tie for their third straight MSC title after a 6-2 homecoming/senior night victory over Salem at Dutch Reis Field.

Charlestown (6-1, 5-0) can guarantee the title outright next Friday with a win at North Harrison. The Cougars were winless on the season heading into their contest Friday with Pekin Eastern.

Scoring was at a minimum on Friday, but it didn’t matter as the Pirate defense pitched their second straight shutout.

“What can you say about my team and my defense,” said Charlestown coach Jason Hawkins. “We continue to play hard and well for 48 minutes every week,” he added. “The last two weeks the game has come down to the last 30 or 40 seconds. We didn’t quit, we played hard and it paid off. The guys did a great job and so did my coaching staff. I couldn’t say enough about them.”

After a scoreless first half, the Pirates got on the board quickly in the third quarter.

Salem (4-3, 3-2) started the period with two short running plays before the Pirates’ Jake Cook intercepted quarterback Christian Chastain.

Taking the ball at the Salem 37, Charlestown needed only four plays to score as Michael Baines found paydirt from 23 yards. Ariel Stephens extra point attempt was blocked, the Pirates hoping that would not come back to haunt them later.

It didn’t as time after time again, the Pirate defense came through when needed.

After both teams exchanged punts on their next series, Salem appeared to be in good shape as they started their next drive at the Charlestown 31 yard line.

The Pirate defense responded as a short run was followed by two incomplete passes. But a personal foul penalty against the Pirates moved the ball to the 15 and a first down. Another short run and an incomplete pass set up third down and seven from the 12.

Chastain was then sacked for a loss of eight yards, plus a holding penalty against the Lions moved the ball back to the 30. Chastain almost pulled the Lions even, but his pass to the front corner of the end zone was just out of the reach of Robert Baker. Chastain was then sacked on fourth down by Clay Daniel to end the threat.

After the Pirate offense turned the ball over on fumbles on their next two series, the defense had their backs against the wall again as the Lions moved to a first down at the Pirates eight yard line.

Baker was tackled for a two yard loss on first down. Chastain then appeared to be taken down for a loss, but broke free for nine yards to the one. But one the next play, Daniel was there again, recovering a fumbled snap to deny the Lions once again.

With time running down, the Pirate offense was not taking any unnecessary chances. After three short running plays, punter Jordan Williams downed the ball in the end zone, giving the Lions the safety with 1:09 left.

Josh Graham led the Pirate offense with 21 carries for 123 yards. Daniel recorded a total of three sacks on the night, including one to end the game as he increased his season total to 20, which is tops in the state.

“Clay Daniel, he’s a great leader and a great football player,” Hawkins said. “He makes plays, and makes the tough plays when you need them. He’s really come a long way.”

“Three years ago as a freshman I could have never seen this,” Daniel said. “Three conference championships. Coach Hawkins has really turned this program around.”



SALEM 0 0 0 2—2

CHARLESTOWN 0 0 6 0—6



Third quarter

C — Baines 22 run (kick blocked)



Fourth quarter

S — Safety, 1:09

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