By Brad Greer
Most of the estimated 9,000 fans packed into Clinton’s Arrow Stadium showed up Thursday night to see junior sensation Cam Akers, but it was a little known quarterback on the other sideline who showed out.

South Panola’s Donald Twilley made his first start under center a memorable one as the wide receiver-turned signal caller rushed for 304 yards on 22 carries and two electrifying touchdowns to spark the No. 1 ranked Tigers to a 35-25 victory over No. 2 Clinton in the 2015 opener for both teams.

Twilley overcame two fumbles in the first half to direct the Tigers  to 446 yards of total offense, all via a bulldozing ground game, while scoring on touchdown runs of 98 and 63 yards.

“We have played in a number of big games in my high school career so even though this was my first time playing quarterback I really was not nervous. I just tried to slow things down and let the game come to me. I did not let  two fumbles effect me much because those things are going to happen, you just have to get them out of your mind and move on,” said Twilley.

Going up against one of the state’s top players in Akers, Twilley said he hopes fans recognize his name as the season progresses.

“I would like to think I made a name for myself tonight. Coming into the game they (Clinton) doubted us for some reason and that is what set off a fire under me. The offensive line did an outstanding job tonight, I tell them every day how proud I am of them and tonight was an example of the hard work they have put in,” said Twilley.

Demetrius  ‘D.D.’ Market set the tone early as  on the opening kickoff the Southern Mississippi commitment raced 98 yards for the score. Steven Collins booted the first of five point after attempts with only 15 seconds off the clock.

After the first of two missed field goals by Clinton in the early stages of the second quarter that  left the score 7-0, the Arrows attempted to capitalize on a South Panola fumble by moving the ball into Tiger territory, but on 2nd-and-four from the 38, Rachaud Taylor’s halfback pass was picked off by Kenon Johnson at the two-yard line.

Then on the first play from scrimmage, Twilley busted up the middle and scampered 98 yards to put South Panola ahead 14-0 after Collins’ successful PAT with 5:32 left in the half.

The Arrow offense finally came to life as the second half got underway when Akers crashed into the endzone from one yard out to cap off a five- play, 69- yard drive at the 9:27 mark to cut South Panola’s margin to 14-6 after the PAT was blocked.

Whatever momentum Clinton had quickly evaporated on the follow series as South Panola quickly answered with a 91- yard drive on two plays as Twilley sped 63 yards for the score at the 8:57 mark of the third. The drive was keyed by Oluwain Hoskins 28 yard gain on the previous play.

  After recovering a South Panola fumble on the Tiger 11, Clinton tacked on another score as Akers tacked on his second touchdown on another one-yard run to trim the deficit to 21-12 with 6:58 left in the third quarter.

 But once again South Panola show their resilience by responding with a 63- yard scoring march as Hoskins broke loose on a 30- yard jaunt with Collins booting the PAT for a 28-12 Tiger advantage. Hoskins later added a six- yard TD run in the fourth quarter while finishing with 90 yards on 19 carries.

 “ I feel like I did not run very hard in the first half but I took some tape off my shoes at halftime and I think that made difference. All we have heard all summer was Cam Akers this and Akers that, I think we made a pretty big statement tonight,” said Hoskins.

 Clinton managed two more scores on a  Joshua Sampson 12-yard touchdown pass  in the third and Akers two-yard run to make the score 35-25 with 2:35 remaining in the game. South Panola recovered the onside kick then ran out the clock.

 The Arrows finished the game with 258 yards rushing and 122 yards passing for 380 yards of total offense. Akers ended the night with 172 yards rushing on 30 carries and three touchdowns.

O’ Bryan Goodson led the South Panola defense with ten tackles including six-for-loss. Linebacker D.J. Hall added nine stops while Turner Rotenberry and Derrick Sanford chipped in with five solo tackles. Rotenberry also contributed with two pass deflections and a fumble recovery. Drelan Porter registered three tackles and a quarterback sack. Kyle Weaver was also credited with a  forced fumble.

 Market finished the night with 128 all-purpose yards that included four carries for 25 yards and two stops on defense. Jamian Johnson chipped in with 33 yards on six carries while Quadarius Shivers had one carry for one yard. Cole Rotenberry punted four times for a 37.5 average.
 South Panola was penalized 11 times for 104 yards while Clinton was flagged seven times for 75 yards.

 “ We had some big plays on both sides of the ball and of course that was the key to the game. Donald had an outstanding game, the kid is a playmaker and we tried to keep him a secret but his performance tonight should end all doubt about what kind of athlete he really is, “ said South Panola head coach Lance Pogue.

 “ The opening kickoff was huge but I knew we would get their best shot and when they scored to open the second half we knew we had to answer back and we did. Akers is one heck of a player and we just found a way at times make the key stop on him. They moved the ball some but  the key tonight was not giving up to many critical big plays, but our offense stole the show. We have got great respect for Clinton and I would not doubt if we don’t see them again down the road,” said Pogue.

 South Panola faces another huge test Friday night as the Meridian Wildcats invade Robert H. Dunlap Stadium in a 7 p.m kickoff.