Charleston was unable to score an offensive touchdown in its season finale, losing to Salem Community High School 35-10 Friday night in Salem.
Penalties were once again an issue for the Trojans (3-6, 0-5), committing more penalties than points scored in the game. Charleston’s only touchdown came on a fumbled snap by Salem’s punter that was recovered in the end zone.
After the game, head coach Brian Halsey had an extended talk on the field with the Trojan players before walking off with the seniors.
“Football is not an easy sport,” Halsey said. “It takes a true champion and a true warrior to go do what they did and I’m proud of them for that. Certainly, [the seniors] are Trojans for life, they’re in the football family for life.”
Three of Charleston’s first four drives ended after four plays. The Trojans only ran five offensive plays in the second quarter, with one of them being senior quarterback Luke Bonnstetter taking a knee to end the half.
Salem (2-7, 1-4) started a drive at the tail end of the first quarter that lasted 14 plays before the Wildcats were able to score a touchdown. Sophomore quarterback Kaeden Bevolo flung the ball into the air with two Trojans bearing down on him, and the ball fell into the arms of senior wide receiver Miking Ettress for a 29-yard touchdown reception.
Charleston was penalized for roughing the passer at the end of the play. Salem elected to have the penalty enforced on the kickoff which set the Wildcats up in Charleston territory, and they successfully recovered an onside kick. They scored on the ensuring drive, and then scored again on their next drive after the Trojans went three-and-out.
“It didn’t turnout the way we wanted,” Halsey said. “We had opportunities and it’s just the same stuff each week. Turnovers, penalties and blown assignments.”
The loss marks the six straight for Charleston. During the six-game skid, the Trojans were outscored 218-83, giving up the most points in the final six weeks of the season since 2018.
Charleston gave up 30 points or more in six of its games this season, the most since 2015.
“[This season was] frustrating,” Halsey said. “It’s certainly something that I hate that the kids went through, and I hate that the coaches had to go through it.”
Charleston once again had issues moving the ball through the air. Bonnstetter was 8-for-18 passing for 56 yards, only completing one of his first five passes.
Salem had success running the ball through sophomore running back Traiton Clark, which opened up avenues for Bevolo to attack Charleston’s banged up secondary for chunk plays.
All but one of Bevolo’s nine completions went for over 10 yards, with passes for 30, 29, 13, and 12 yards going for touchdowns. Clark finished with 156 yards on 29 carries.
“We need help,” Halsey said. “We got too many great athletes that we need to get [onto the team] if we’re going to continue this and get after it.”
Gabe Newman can be reached at 581-2812 or at ghnewman@eiu.edu.
