During the scrimmages, the teams give the veterans a chance to check their improvement since the season ended in December; also, the players moving up from junior varsity to varsity get some game experience, even though scrimmages do not display all aspects of a real game.

South Panola players and assistant coaches gave a slight rundown of the games against Clinton and Provine. South Panola tied with Clinton 7-7. The Tigers shutout Provine 21-0.

Tiger quarterback Derrick Pegues said Clinton was "alright but not up to our level."

Pegues said the offense was operating in second gear for the games, but will be ready to go in the regular season.

"We are not where we need to be, but we were okay for the spring," Pegues said.

Pegues and teammate John Jerry agreed Provine was faster than Clinton, but Clinton was the better team.

Assistant coach Trenell Edwards said one of the cornerback positions is a "little weak" right now, but with a little work will be ready for the fall. The one touchdown by Clinton was result of a "misread" by a cornerback.

This is the second spring the team has been under this coaching staff.

"The team didn’t know what to expect from us last year," Edwards said.

"We know now," Jerry said. "Our defense is a lot better this year than last year, especially on the line."

Pegues said this summer the team needs to work out to build up its stamina "so we can play a whole game."

Pegues also said the team needed to build up its speed.

Jeremy Jones came in as backup quarterback to Pegues.

On the whole, Edwards said the team should be "pretty solid" on the offense and defense.

"We will have some flaws to work out in the kicking game and some of our young guys will have to determine when to make big plays," Edwards said.

South Panola opens the season at home Thursday, August 28, against Clarksdale. All home games will begin at 7 p.m. this year. Season ticket information will be forthcoming later in the summer.

On Sunday, May 25, the 31st Annual St. Jude Bass Classic will be held at Sardis Lake.

The Memphis Bass Club, made up of around 100 volunteers from the mid-south area, sponsors the tournament each year along with national and local businesses.

The bass tournament raises money for the St. Jude Children’s Research Center and has so far donated over $1,656,000 to the hospital. The tournament, which gets kicked off from the Engineer’s Point boat ramp, is one of the largest charity tournaments in the world with a field of up to 350 boats and 700 fishermen.

This year’s total cash payout is $ 24,500 with a grand prize of $2,000 and a new boat. There will be a "No Bass Pot" prize for anglers that do not weigh in any fish as well as a "Grand Attendance Prize" for the tournament’s participants.

There will be a drawing for a 2003 Lincoln Navigator. Tickets for this drawing will be $100 each and only 1,000 tickets will be sold. The big bass prize will also be awarded for the largest bass caught.

This is a cash prize of $5,000, based on the full 350 boat slots being filled. Scoring for the tournament is the traditional weight method and contestants can weigh-in 5 fish. There will be cash awards for 1st through 30th place and prize bags awarded to 31st through 50th place contestants.

The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital helps an estimated 4,300 patients annually.

The hospital treats patients and helps find cures for children with various medical conditions. The American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, or ALSAC, is the primary fund-raiser for the hospital. The hospital also operates by way of federal grants, investments, and insurance. St. Jude has treated in excess of 19,000 children from the U.S. and 60 foreign countries. There are four affiliate hospitals of St. Jude, one in Tennessee and Illinois respectively and two in Louisiana.

The tournament offers a great experience and challenge for anglers and definitely funds a much needed and appreciated cause. For more information on the tournament, contact The Memphis Bass Club.

If you would like to compete in the tournament, the price is $250 per boat. Entries will be accepted up until the day of the tournament to a maximum of 350 boats.