By R. L. Harvey

The Clarksville Panthers ended a 22-game losing streak with a thrilling 19-14 victory over the Dover Pirates on Friday, September 20. This road win marks their first triumph since 2021.

Coach Mitchell Powers expressed immense pride in his team. Angel Alvarez accounted for three touchdowns as Clarksville (1-2) defeated Dover (1-2).

The Panthers fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter before Alvarez took over. Alvarez had two scoring runs, and he connected with Cyprus Tuck on a 27-yard touchdown pass.

The Panthers showcased a balanced attack, amassing 405 total yards of offense. Their defense was equally impressive, shutting out Dover after the first quarter of the nonconference game.

Dover struck first, scoring a touchdown and PAT with 9:43 left in the opening quarter. They extended their lead to 14-0 with another touchdown just over a minute before the period ended. However, Clarksville responded in the second quarter with a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Angel Alvarez to Cyprus Tuck, capping a 64-yard drive. Brandon Acosta’s extra-point kick brought the score to 14-7.

A critical moment came when Dover nearly scored again, but a fumble out of the back of the end zone gave Clarksville possession, halting the Pirates’ momentum. Although Clarksville turned the ball over on the next drive with an interception, their defense held strong, stopping Dover’s advance.

In the third quarter, Alvarez rushed for a one-yard touchdown, but the PAT was no good, leaving Clarksville trailing by one, 14-13, with 8:14 on the clock. The Panthers’ defense continued to stifle Dover, and a late-game drive secured the win for Clarksville.

Following the Pirates’ first punt, Isaiah Frias’ 51-yard reception set up another Clarksville touchdown on an Alvarez keeper. The Panthers’ 2-point conversion failed, but the Panthers led 19-14 with 5:11 in the third to close out the scoring.

With this victory, Clarksville improves to 1-2 on the season. They will host Vilonia in a 5A West bout on Friday, September 27.