article contributed by football analyst Barry Every
Homerville, Georgia – Clinch County came into the contest having forced 38 turnovers in their previous ten games. In their 54-12 win over Mitchell County they picked off three passes while racking up 445 yards of offense. To make matters worse the Eagles punted four times with a long of 15-yards. You can’t turn over the ball versus the opportunistic Panthers or give them a short field if you expect to take them down at the Boneyard.
Clinch County only had to go 26 yards on their first scoring drive after an eight yard punt. Junior Charles McClelland started the scoring galloping in from 11-yards out. McClelland would finish the contest with 134 yards on the ground and two scores on just 12 carries.
Two plays later senior quarterback Kentravious Williams called his own number outracing the Panther defense down the right sideline for a 62-yard score. After a missed two-point attempt the Eagles found themselves down only two halfway through the first quarter.
Clinch County then countered with a fourth and one plunge by sophomore Trezman Marshall. It ended up being the only scoring drive of the first half where Clinch County started on their side of the field.
Marshall would hit pay dirt again this time from three yards out extending the Panther lead to 22-6. Again a bad Mitchell County punt set Clinch County up with excellent starting field position.
A change at punter did not help as the Eagles gave the ball right back to Clinch County after a 15-yard punt. This time McClelland hit senior wide out Jerrod Jones on a seven yard scoring strike.
Mitchell County threatened to score late in the second quarter but senior Machari Bighams picked off a Williams pass in the End zone.
As blood floated to the surface Marshall responded with a 40-yard strike over the middle of the field to Jones capping the first half scoring at 34-6.
If Mitchell County had any chance of turning things around in the second half they had to stop the Panthers opening drive. And it almost came to fruition as the Eagle defense forced a 4th and three.
Coach Dickerson dipped into his bag of tricks calling for the fake punt. Marshall tucked the ball under his right arm and hit maximum velocity on his way to the end zone from 44-yards out.
Mitchell County would not give up as Williams hit freshman James Thomas on an 81-yard touchdown strike to bring the Eagles within 30.
But it was too little too late and turnovers upended any chance of making the game competitive. Seniors Jervonta Johnson and Jones picked off two more Eagle passes.
Defensive standouts for Mitchell County were sophomore Malik Barnes and junior Anthony McIntyre. The pair combined for 17 tackles, unfortunately too many of them were made well past the line of scrimmage.
McClelland would score one more time in the third stanza ensuring a running clock for fourth quarter.
Mitchell County finishes the season (9-3/7-2), it was their first appearance in the second round of the playoffs since 2003.
Clinch County (10-1/7-0) now hosts Commerce (9-2/7-2). This will be the third consecutive year that these two foes have met in the GHSA-A playoffs. Last year the Panthers downed the Tigers 26-19 in the semifinals.
Read individual player scouting reports down below.
Mitchell County
Kentravious Williams #3
Kentravious Williams #3, QB/ATH, 6-2/170 (2017) – Williams was the one bright spot for the Eagle offense. Though he threw three interceptions he did run for 93 yards on ten carries while passing for an additional 177 yards. He has excellent length and a frame that could easily host more muscle mass. Williams has excellent change of direction and good top end speed. He most likely projects as a receiver or defensive back in college. I’m unsure what he has going on in recruiting but schools like Albany State, Fort Valley State and Savannah State should take a look at his senior film. On the season he accounted for over 2,250 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Players to keep an eye on: Malik Barnes, LB/RB, 6-0/215 (2019); Anthony McIntyre, ILB, 5-11/210 (2018); James Thomas, WR/KR, 6-1/175 (2020)
Clinch County
John Mincey #8
John Mincey, #8, DE/DT, 6-4/260 (2018) – This may have been the first game back at full speed for the behemoth junior defensive lineman. On the night he took reps at both defensive tackle and defensive end. He recorded four tackles and one TFL. Mincey’s biggest assets are his long arms and his use of hands. His body has really begun to fill out and he could eventually project as a long defensive tackle. He has the lower body size already but must add some upper body size and strength. He has plenty of time to develop and work on playing with lower pad level. According to Scout.com he already has verbal offers from Florida and Tennessee.
Trezman Marshall, #7, RB/LB/ATH, 6-1/210 (2019) – Marshall is the bull moose in a pen of cows. He has tremendous body structure with absolutely no bad body weight. There is no question that he left his mark on this game. Marshall accounted for 143 yards and three touchdowns while racking up nine tackles, two TFL’s and a PBU. On his fake punt return for score he was able to show off superb top end speed. Defensively he is not afraid to swing the hammer. Right now he best projects as an outside linebacker but don’t count out the possibility of him eventually becoming a huge every down back. Only a sophomore he already has multiple FBS offers and more are sure to come his way.
Charles McClelland, #10, RB/ATH, 6-0/170 (2018) – In the single-wing attack he plays quarterback and wingback. McClelland has very quick feet and can really make defenders miss in the open field. He also has very good top end speed. I was really impressed with his balance and ability to make yards after contact despite being in the 170-pound range. Look for his stock to take off soon. He is nearing the 1,300-yard rushing barrier, which is a lot since he shares carries with a stable of great athletes. McClelland most likely projects as a receiver or defensive back at the FBS level.
Players to keep an eye on: Jerrod Johnson, WR/DB, 6-0/185 (2017); Jervonta Johnson, LB, 6-2/200 (2017); Octavious Morris, DE/LB, 6-2/215 (2017);
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