Football | 9/27/2025 1:33:00 AM
PETAL -- The Clinton High School Football team will continue to search for their road-trip mojo after a scrappy defeat at Panther Stadium on Friday night.
The Petal Panthers (3-2) used a pair of third-quarter touchdowns to defeat the Arrows, 20-3, in the non-district game on the campus of Petal High School. It was the first-ever meeting between Clinton and Petal -- two teams in the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) 7A classification.
Caiden Belton connected with Trey Barnes for a 31-yard pass in the end zone's corner nearly two minutes out of halftime, and Acely Brown ran in an 18-yard touchdown, giving the host a 17-3 advatage by the third's 2:23 mark.
Clinton (3-2) and Petal combined for less than 160 total yards and converted a combined nine first downs during the opening two quarters.
Sam Haydel's 29-yard kick gave the Panthers their first lead in the second, and Clinton senior
Braylon Spann's 26-yard field goal split the uprights as time expired, sending both teams to the locker room with a 3-3 deadlock.
DEFENSE ANSWERS CALL
The Arrow defense rose to the occasion, keeping their team in contention all night. With their backs against the wall for most of the game, the unit forced numerous punts and made several fourth-down stops, including a goal-line stand in the third, that kept the red and black with a chance for a comeback in their second away game.
That stout defense was led by
Cameron Cornelius who had nine total tackles -- eight solo. Along with Cornelius' effort,
Davon Merchant collected seven tackles and two tackles for loss.
Jaiden Jefferson wrapped up five tackles and another for a loss, and
Dallas Johnson wreaked havoc with a sack, tackle for loss, and four tackles.
However, the game was a tall task as Petal's offense averaged starting field position at Clinton's 45-yard line.
IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Jamari Smith, a sophomore wide out, etched his name onto the stat sheet with two highlight catches, helping set up Spann's field goal.
Smith wrangled in a 26-yard pass with an acrobatic one-hander, tip-toeing the sideline. On the next play, he caught a 23-yarder, moving the Arrows' to the Panthers' 17-yard line.
Six plays later, Spann tied the game with his kick before halftime.
UP NEXT
The Arrows head into a well-earned bye week before they open MHSAA Region 2-7A action, visiting the Murrah Mustangs on Thursday, October 9, at South Jackson Field on the campus of Forest Hill High School. The region opner is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
