HOMERVILLE, Ga. — The defending Class A Public state champion Clinch County Panthers opened the 2018 postseason with a resounding statement against Charlton County on Friday night. 

University of Georgia commit Trezmen Marshall ran for three touchdowns and Michael Walker tallied 156 rushing yards to help the Panthers pound the Indians 38-14 at Donald Tison Field.

The Panthers (10-1) advance to next week’s quarterfinal round where they will play at Mt. Zion Carroll.

Clinch County, fresh off a bye in last week’s first round, flew to the ball on defense and were unstoppable on offense with its run-oriented attack. The Panthers finished with 307 rushing yards and forced three interceptions.

“It’s our biggest rival,” Clinch County coach Jim Dickerson said. “They call it the Swamp War, we’re on the west side and they’re on the east side. Coming into tonight, we had 28 times and they had won 28 times with one tie. It’s just been a very balanced, good rivalry.

“It’s one of the classics in high school football.”

Clinch scored on four of five possessions in the first half, including a clock-churning 80-yard drive that culminated in Marshall’s final touchdown that gave the Panthers a 24-6 halftime lead. 

Walker helped set up two Clinch scoring drives with a couple of long gallops in the first half. After the Panthers ran up the middle on consecutive plays, they handed the ball to Walker around end and the Indians were caught off guard. Walker’s speed helped him maneuver 47 yards to the 2-yard line. Marshall drove into the end zone on the ensuing play to give the Panthers a 10-0 lead.

On the Panthers’ next possession at their own 26-yard line, they handed the ball to Walker again on the outside, and following a massive block from Marshall, motored 69 yards down the sideline before being caught at the 5-yard line. Three plays later, Marshall bulldozed his way through the Indians’ defense and into the end zone for a 17-0 advantage.

The Indians’ best attempt at a comeback came on their next possession, driving 54 yards and quarterback Raykwon Anderson connecting with Brantley Sloan for a 10-yard touchdown pass. It cut the deficit to 17-6. But the momentum was short-lived as the Panthers responded with their 80-yard drive and Marshall’s third touchdown of the first half.

Clinch County quarterback Tyler Morehead finished with 81 rushing yards and a touchdown, along with an interception. Dantonio Robinson and Miguel Davis also recorded interceptions for the Panthers.