Derrick Davis | The Valdosta Daily TimesClinch County defenders dive on a loose ball during the second half against Irwin County in the Class A-public state championship at Indian Field on Friday night in Ocilla.

OCILLA — They didn’t play in Atlanta’s new jewel, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but by the end of the night, a second state championship in three years helped make everything alright for the Clinch County Panthers.

Defense helped the Panthers overcome some offensive miscues in the second half, including two lost fumbles, to power through the Irwin County Indians 21-12 and claim the Class A-Public state title at Indian Field on Friday night.

“What a feeling,” senior Tahj Williams said. “Last year we were one game away from going to the state championship again. To come out here and do it this year… what a feeling, man.”

After Clinch (12-2) went ahead 14-6 with 8:11 remaining in the third, Irwin’s Jamorri Colson returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown to pull within 14-12.

Defense helped the Panthers out of a jam after a special teams error later in the period. A low snap on a punt attempt gave the Indians (12-2) possession 8 yards away from the end zone. John Mincey’s second-down tackle and an incomplete pass set up Irwin with a fourth-and-goal from the 10. Freshman Tyler Morehead stopped a fake field goal try and helped preserve Clinch’s slim advantage.

“We studied film hard two weeks straight, really,” Mincey said. “Everybody played their assignments. Everybody called out the play before (Irwin) lined up. We sat on everything.”

Clinching to their two-point lead, the Panthers allowed a window for Irwin to overtake them with some fourth-quarter mistakes. They fumbled the ball away on back-to-back possessions. The first fumble was recovered with 10:55 after Charles McClelland was stripped of the ball and the Indians took over on their own 44.

Defense bailed the Panthers out of the jam.

Mincey tackled a runner for a three-yard loss and another stop forced a punt.

Dantonio Robinson lost possession and Irwin began on its 37. Robinson found redemption when he intercepted a pass in the end zone with 4:56 left.

“As a defensive captain I had to tell the team, ‘We got to stay focused, focused on the next play. We can’t dwell on the last play, because now they get possession and we kind of have our heads down when they have momentum.’ And then we just came out swinging,” Williams said.

Trezmen Marshall forced an Irwin fumble and Clinch recovered with the lead and 2:47 left, leading to McClelland punching in his second TD to give the Panthers a winning cushion in the final minute.

“All year we’ve been playing great defense, and we knew if we got to the quarterback, that they basically wouldn’t have a game plan,” Williams said. “And that’s what we did: applied pressure all night. Now we’re state champs.”

When McClelland ran in the final score, there was one thought going through Mincey’s head.

“Party in Homerville,” he said.