Coach Jason Hawkins and the Pirates returned to Charlestown without the Battle of 403 hardware for the third consecutive year. The rivalry matchup marks the annual season opener for both teams. 

Charlestown  7   7   0   0 -14

Silver Creek  14  7  12  6 -39

LEAH LOWE – Indiana Preps Sports Network

Sellersburg, IN | Friday, August 20th 2021 

Charlestown High School Varsity football traveled to Sellersburg this evening to face local Mid-Southern Conference rivals Silver Creek in the annual season opener for both teams, in recent years dubbed the “Battle of 403.” 

The city and town neighbor each other, fields 9 miles apart on either end of two-lane Hwy 403 in Clark County – and high school football is serious business on both sides. Led by Coach Dave Papenhaus, Silver Creek has claimed victory over the Pirates in 4 out of 5 of the teams’ last meetings. Since putting a formal trophy on the line in 2019, the hardware has yet to leave Sellersburg. 

The Silver Creek Dragons beat Charlestown 40-6 to kick things off last year, setting the tone  for an undefeated year in regular season play  – the best ever for the program. The Dragons continued, clenching the Mid Southern Conference title. 

Graduating the talent of Ben Landers (RB) and Dylan Meyers (QB) has done little to slow the program’s momentum as they head into the 2021 season. Playmakers Trey Schoen, a Senior (slot receiver) – and Junior LeShun Mays Jr.  (RB) were consistent performers last year – and by all appearances are more than ready to take the helm with the help of Sophomore QB Peyton Lacy. 

Silver Creek turned it up from the jump in tonight’s matchup, with Trey Schoen running for a 70 yard touchdown on the first play of the game. The Pirates worked their way down the field in 9 plays and answered with a McClelland touchdown followed by a successful kick by Almeciga. Schoen took it for a long walk again just moments later in the quarter for a 78 yard touchdown. 

A second quarter touchdown by Schoen was followed up with the extra point  compliments of Carley Troutman, a Junior on loan from the Silver Creek girls soccer team. 

Charlestown QB Clay McClelland connected with the Pirates’ Jake Ottersbach for a 37 yard touchdown followed by a successful kick by Almeciga to bring the Pirates to 14 before halftime. 

Moments into the second half the Pirates found themselves within 20 yards of Silver Creek’s end zone, but a pick by the Dragons’ Mike Lowery put the nails in Charlestown’s hopes of scoring to tie things up and level the game. Twelve plays and 77 yards later, the Dragons scored again. The Pirates were unable to answer and Silver Creek took control at Charlestown’s 38, where Mays charged 43 yards, setting Schoen up to reach the end zone from the 20 on the next play. 

Trey Schoen racked 209 yards in 9 carries, caught 3 passes for 74 yards, and put 4 touchdowns on the scoreboard for the Dragons. Mays rushed for 110 yards in 13 carries and battled hard on both offense and defense. 

Charlestown QB Clay McClelland completed 12/24with 220 yards passing, 16 carries for 53 yards, and a touchdown. 

The Dragons will travel to Salem next week – where the Lions were also victorious tonight in a 38-0 win over North Harrison.

Charlestown returns to host Brownstown at home. The Braves defeated Corydon 43-6 tonight at home.