HOMERVILLE — Clinch County is headed back to the Georgia Dome.

The Panthers (11-2) have exceeded expectations in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Now they are one of the last four Class A teams still playing.

Clinch takes on No. 2 Emanuel County Institute today in the state semifinals. The game kicks off at noon. It can be seen on GPTV, Channel 8.

This will be the sixth time in the last seven years that Clinch has been to the Dome. In their previous five games, the Panthers are 3-2, with the losses coming to eventual state champions Buford (2001) and Hawkinsville (2003).

Emanuel knows all about Clinch’s tradition, and expects to play a tough football team.

“Clinch County has been to the Dome so many times they have their own locker room,” ECI head coach Milan Turner joked in an interview with The Clinch County News earlier this week. “They have a great team, and a great tradition. We hope we’ll go out Friday and not be mesmerized by the Dome and the tradition of Clinch County.

“We’re going to have to play our very best game of the season to beat Clinch County.”

But the Bulldogs are pretty good themselves. Good enough to be Class A’s only undefeated team, as a matter of fact.

Emanuel will be a tough opponent, maybe the toughest the Panthers have faced since they opened the season with Charlton County and Coffee.

It’s no secret what the first thing an opponent has to do to beat ECI: stop Washaun Ealey. Unfortunately, no one has done that yet this season.

Ealey recently broke the state record for rushing touchdowns in a season. He now has an amazing 50 scores, as well as 2,410 yards rushing. Last week, against Warren County, Ealey rushed for 210 yards in a 34-17 victory.

“Everything centers on Ealey and that big offensive line of theirs,” Clinch head coach Jim Dickerson said. “He is fast, strong, and has good vision. And they’ve got a couple of other good running backs, too. They’re just as good as their billing.”

If there is one thing that Clinch has always prided itself on, however, it is run defense. The Panthers have a reputation for playing some of the toughest defense in the state, particularly in Class A, with their 5-2 front.

The matchup of the unstoppable Ealey against the immovable Panther defense should be a clash worth watching.

ECI, which runs a wing-T offense, has other weapons as well in the backfield. Nick Cross has rushed for 695 yards, despite missing four games with an injury. Quarterback Michael Robertson has passed for 872 yards and 10 touchdowns.