By Ryan Berry

DailyAdvocate.com

WEST ALEXANDRIA — Arcanum got its first win of the season with a victory over the Twin Valley South Panthers on Friday night, 41-18.

Arcanum Head Coach Matt Macy admitted his team played sloppy at times and made some mistakes but were able to overcome them. “We haven’t been able to overcome mistakes like that last week and last year,” he said. He pointed to several holding calls his team committed. “We have to learn how to not get those penalties.

Macy is also proud of his team for the way they kept their composure on a few personal foul penalties committed by the Panthers. “I’m really proud that we were able to stay out of that mess. I’m glad we didn’t retaliate.”

The Trojans were the first to get on the board with a one-yard run from sophomore MJ Macy with 6:27 remaining in the first quarter. The extra point was no good, but Arcanum was up 6-0.

After holding Twin Valley South to a three-and-out, Arcanum gave them ball back with great field position. With 2:47 left in the first quarter, the Panthers got a 10-yard run from Conner Mowell to tie the score. The extra point was no good.

Arcanum was not to be outdone. On the kickoff, Luke Midlam went 86 yards for the score. The two-point conversion was good, and the Trojans had a 14-6 lead. It was a lead they would not give up.

With 8:37 remaining in the half, Arcanum got a two-yard run from Hudson Knaus to increase the lead to 20-6.

Knaus wasn’t done. With 3:48 remaining in the half, Knauss went 83-yards for the touchdown and a 26-6 lead. Knaus led the Trojans with 159 yards on the ground.

The Panthers came out in the second half and narrowed the gap with a three-yard touchdown run from Mowell. Arcanum had a 26-12 lead.

Knaus got the hat-trick on the next drive when he took it in from the six-yard line. The conversion was good, and Arcanum was up 34-12.

With time running down in the fourth quarter, the Panthers were able to put together another scoring drive, but still trailed 34-18.

Arcanum’s final score came with a little over four minutes remaining in the game. A 17-yard run from Caleb Baker gave the Trojans a 41-18 victory over the Panthers.

Although Coach Macy was thrilled with his team’s victory, he’s not looking too far ahead. Arcanum will host Mississinawa Valley on Thursday evening at 7 p.m.

Macy said, “We had a tough one with Mississinawa last year and we have a Thursday night this year. We’re going to have to hit the ground running. If we can get through Mississinawa, we will worry about what’s next after that.”

To contact Daily Advocate Editor Ryan Berry, email [email protected].