Thanks to a steady diet of effective run offense to go with a lockdown defense, the Clinch County Panthers are Class A (public) state champions, defeating the Irwin County Indians 24-7 on Friday at the Georgia Dome.
The Panthers (13-1), the tournament’s No. 5 seed, combined for 317 yards on 53 carries and scored a touchdown each quarter on the way to their sixth overall state title and first since 2010.
The Indians (10-3-1), the No. 3 seed, came up short in the championship game for the second year in a row.
“It feels incredible,” said Panthers quarterback Charles McClelland, who attempted just two passes but led all rushers with 183 yards on 22 carries. “We worked all season for this and we finally got the ring we’ve been wanting.”
Clinch’s defense and special teams also turned in a championship-worthy performance. Highlights included a blocked punt and a key interception just before the half that ended Irwin County’s drive on the Panthers’ 3-yard line.
The Panthers wasted no time taking control of the game, forcing Irwin County into a three-and-out on its opening possession and then blocking the punt, recovering on the Indians’ 29. Seven plays later, Shannon Young rushed 1 yard into the end zone to give the Panthers a 6-0 lead.
With 28 seconds left in the opening quarter, the Indians would get their only score of the game on a 93-yard run from Ziaire Andrews, taking a 7-6 lead.
Clinch County scored on its next possession, which culminated in another short run from Young – this from 2 yards out – to give the Indians a 12-7 lead.
The Indians then marched 62 yards to the Clinch 3-yard line, but the drive ended with Jervonta Johnson’s interception with 3:17 remaining in the half. The Panthers appeared to tack a 37-yard field goal to their lead as the second quarter expired, but Irwin County called a timeout just before the snap. Clinch then elected for a pass play following the time out, ending the half.
The Panthers took an 18-7 lead on the third quarter’s opening possession when Trezmen Marshall scored on a 5-yard run.
The Panthers’ defense would then force the Indians into three turnovers on downs and a punt on Irwin County’s remaining possessions.
McClelland sealed the win for Clinch County with a 36-yard run with 7:41 remaining in which he broke three tackles for a clear path to the end zone.
“When Charles was trying to break free and he looked up and only saw daylight between him and the end zone, there was no way he was going down,” Panthers coach Jim Dickerson said. “That was the whole key to tonight’s win, was running the ball to keep them off the field and it worked.”
Octavius Morris had eight tackles and a sack for the Panthers.
For the Indians, Andrews finished with 132 yards on nine carries, and DJ Pollard rushed for 89 yards on 18 carries and tied for a game-high with 10 tackles on defense, joining teammate Javon Stanley.
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Irwin County 7 0 0 0 - 7
Clinch County 6 6 6 6 - 24
C – Shannon Yound 1 run (run failed)
I – Ziare Andrews 93 run (Austin Pettis kick)
C – Yound 2 run (run failed)
C – Trezmen Marshall 5 run (run failed)
C – Charles McClelland 36 run (pass failed)
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