BIG PLAYS...is what decided the Twin Valley South - Arcanum game as the Panthers captured their first win of the season.

In West Alexandria, it was a battle between two teams looking for their first win of the season after rough starts in their first two games. Both Twin Valley South and Arcanum were in a quest to salvage the early part of the season with a victory - a victory they hoped would be a springboard to bigger and better things.

And after a back-and-forth contest, it was the home team that claimed that victory, 32-19.

Arcanum struck first on a 60-yard run by Brad Rothwell, but the Panthers responded to knot the score at 7-7 on a 42-yard run by Skyler Reckers.

Reckers scored again before the break to give the Panthers a 14-7 lead at the half, a lead they wouldn't surrender the rest of the way.

Arcanum couldn't get much going on its opening drive of the second half and the Panthers took advantage with the big play. This time it came from the arm of Miles McCollum, who connected with the speedy Steve Balthis for a 70-yard touchdown strike to push the lead to 20-7.

But the visiting Trojans waisted little time in responding as Rothwell returned the ensuing kickoff for the touchdown to cut the margin to 20-13 with one quarter to play.

With the momentum it needed, Arcanum put together a methodical drive for the apparent tying touchdown. But a fumble inside the Twin Valley South one to end the threat and give the momentum back to the Panthers - who took advantage a couple of plays later on a 95-yard touchdown run by Reckers.

Both teams reached the end zone once more in the waning moments, but the tide had turned in a matter of two plays deep in Panther territory - propelling Twin Valley South to 1-2 overall (1-1 in the CCC) and dropping Arcanum to 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the league.

Twin Valley South looks to keep the momentum going at Mississinawa Valley (2-1) on Friday, while Arcanum searches for its first win at home against National Trail (1-2).