What a great night as the 2009 Indians held off a tough Clinch Co attack to outscore the Panthers 14-7. After a promising opening drive the Tribe finally had to punt, pinning Clinch deep in their own territory. After one of many fine defensive stands on the night the Panthers punt was block by a barrage of Indians. The ball finally came to rest on the 2 -yard line where Clint Paulk took it into the end zone for Irwin’s first touchdown. The extra point was not good and Irwin led 6-0.

Clinch answered the Indian score with 1:03 left in the 1^st with a 31 yard scamper and an extra point to bring the score to 7-6 after 1. The 2^nd quarter was a hard fought defensive battle and after a blocked field goal by Josh Johnson the half ended 7-6 Clinch on top. The second half was even more exciting than the first as Clinch took the opening drive down the filed but was again stopped by the Indians and had to punt, pinning Irwin back on their own 10 yard line. Clint Paulk and posse took the Indians up the field and finished of a 90 yard drive with a 47 yard touchdown pass from Paulk to Jake Atkinson. Barnard Baker added the two point conversion with a very fine run, to put the Indians on top 14-7. The Panthers and Indians fought it out for the final quarters in the contest as penalties and conditioning took their toll. Finally the Indians recover a fumble on the 5 yard line with 35 seconds left in the game to insure the Indian win. “The defensive had an extraordinary night”, stated Gamble “I knew had the personnel to win the battle on the line.. ..and we did! This is a huge win and will hopefully set the pace for a good run through the region”