| Steelers must stop NFL MVP and the run |
| By Myra Bean
The Pittsburgh Steelers (14-5) arrived in Detroit, Mich. yesterday. The Seattle Seahawks (15-3) arrived Sunday.
Steeler coach Bill Cowher and Seattle coach Mike Holmgren allowed the players some time last week to get family and friends, tickets and phone calls handled before they "focused on football," according to Cowher.
Of all the games the two teams played this year, they did not play each other.
Though Pittsburgh has emerged the favorite to win Super Bowl XL, Steeler cornerback Deshea Townsend of Batesville does not take the Seahawks so lightly.
"In order for us to get a win, first of all, we are going to have to stop the run," Townsend said. "Shaun Alexander was the MVP of the NFL this past year. We are most definitely going to have to stop him."
Townsend said the Steeler blitz has been very effective in the third down and long yardage situations.
"That’s when our blitz package really step up," he said.
Talking about a blitz working, the Steelers started the playoff season as the last placed team and worked their way into the Super Bowl.
It started with a third meeting this season between the Steelers and the Bengals in the wildcard game. They had split wins in the regular season.
Cincinnati went into halftime up 17-10. The Steelers held the Bengals scoreless in the second half and put up 21 points themselves for the win.
The biggest game of the season was probably the game with the Indianapolis Colts.
Townsend spoke about the regular season meeting between the two teams in which the Steelers lost the first one, 26-7.
Shaking their heads, the Steelers studied the film.
"As we watched the film, a lot of guys on the team were thinking and saying, ‘a play here, a play there and the game could have been different,’" Townsend said.
According to Townsend, it was more than just a physical matchup with these two teams.
"The first time they just handed it to us," Townsend said. "When we prepared for them that week, we had that mindset like we knew we could beat them. There were certain mistakes we made in that first game we knew we were not going to make again. If we didn’t make those mistakes, there was a great chance we could win. We didn’t make those mistakes and we won the game."
Not only that, the Steelers went on to defeat the Denver Broncos 34-17 for the AFC Championship and the trip to Super Bowl XL.
What was the catalyst for last three wins in the playoffs?
"I think one reason was us peaking at the right time," Townsend said. "We hit that run right in the middle of the season and we felt nobody could beat us.
"We are hitting on all cylinders and the offense is playing well," he added. "The defense is always going to go out and do what it needs to do. We are tough to beat."
Pittsburgh is only a five hour drive from Detroit and when the teams arrived they saw more Steeler colors than Seahawk colors, according to published reports.
Townsend’s father, Willie B., still lives in Batesville and plans to attend the Super Bowl.
He said he told Deshea, "I asked the Lord to help y’all win the game to get to the Super Bowl," Willie B. said. "I really prayed they would beat Payton (Manning). I told them to do to Payton what they did to Carson (Palmer). Then I said Lord forgive me."
Kickoff for the game has been changed to 5 p.m. central time, according to on Sunday, February 5. It will be televised on ABC.
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| Tigers extend streak to four |
| By Myra Bean
The South Panola Tiger boy’s team is on a four-game win streak with a 53-47 comeback win over Charleston Friday night.
The Tigers hope to continue that streak with a win over district foe Southaven tonight in Batesville. This is the Tigers’ final district game of the season.
The Tigers are tied with Olive Branch and Horn Lake for the top spot in the district, with two losses each, after Horn Lake boys and girls defeated the Olive Branch boys and girls Friday night.
South Panola had only six players to score and three were in double figures against Charleston.
Rodney Gray came off the bench and was the game’s leading scorer with 18 points, four assists, eight rebounds and seven steals. Gray also got a slam dunk.
The Tigers were down 13-10 at the end of the first quarter. With Gray along with Jarred Pope, Shawn Daniels and Cordell Austin all scoring in the second quarter, South Panola outscored Charleston 21-9 to take a 31-22 halftime lead.
The two Tiger teams played neck-and-neck throughout the third quarter, but South Panola emerged with a 14-13 advantage and a 45-35 score leading into the final quarter.
Charleston never gave up and outscored the Tigers 12-8 in the final quarter but it was not enough to overcome South Panola’s early scoring edge.
Also scoring for South Panola were Shawn Daniels, 13 points, two assists, six rebounds, two steals and four blocks; Jarred Pope, 11 points, four assists, four rebounds and four steals; Joseph Hankins, 6 points, one assist and four rebounds; Cordell Austin, 3 points, one rebounds; and Larico Treadwell, 2 points, three rebounds and one steal.
The Tigers will play Southaven tonight following the Lady Tigers and the ninth grade Lady Tigers which begins at 5 p.m.
Friday they will host Desoto Central beginning at 6 p.m.
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| Lady Tigers fall to Charleston |
| By Myra Bean
The South Panola Lady Tigers would hope their luck would change but it was not to be as they fell 43-41 to Charleston Friday night.
Wins are becoming elusive for the Lady Tigers but they need a big win tonight over the Southaven Lady Chargers to avoid last place in the district.
Last week in Southaven the Lady Tigers lost 61-41.
Against Charleston in a non-conference game Friday night, the Lady Tigers did not see much scoring action from some of their scoring leaders.
Charleston only had four players to score and three of them were in double figures. None of South Panola’s nine scorers scored in double figures.
South Panola led 10-7 at the end of the first quarter and things were looking good. A new Charleston team seem to have entered the court second quarter and proceeded to outscore South Panola 16-4 for a 23-14 halftime lead.
Charleston still kept a comfortable lead 32-21 going into the fourth quarter. The South Panola Lady Tigers turned up the heat in the fourth quarter outscoring Charleston 20-11. South Panola almost caught up but time ran out.
Scoring for South Panola were Tenisha Mitchell and Vetorra Cole, 8 points each; Kim Sanford, 7 points; Sabine Barth, 6 points; Skylar Barnes and Stalisha Cole, 5 points each; Jessica Govan and Tanika Chapman, 2 points each; and Shanice Williams, 1 point.
The Lady Tigers will play at 6 p.m. following the ninth grade Lady Tigers at 5 p.m.
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| Manning fan hates neither quarterback made big game |
 By William Correro
And thus ends another season here. It was as great as any have been in my 27 years officiating and now I look forward to spring football and another football season with the greatest football conference in the world and the greatest friends to make it a complete set.
To this day I still find myself wondering if I am really doing all this or if I’ll wake up from a dream like Bob Newhart did.
As a casual observer of the NFL, I was really surprised at who was left at the top of the heap going into the Super Bowl. As a double Manning fan I will say I was as disappointed in the way Peyton’s and Eli’s teams performed.
It was a shame for two great quarterbacks to spend most of their last playoff games running for their lives. I thought Peyton showed good poise with only the "lack of protection," comment after their loss. I’m sure his true feelings could have blistered paint at 20 paces.
I have not seen anything official on any rule changes for the 2006 season although the hot questions on a rules survey by the NCAA was speeding up the games. I really don’t think that’s something they ought to mess with because unless it’s a real blow out, the games are about right.
Sure, TV adds some time but it’s really not as much as it might seem. On an average, the typical TV game is 10 to 12 minutes longer than a non-TV game. But with new radio timeout formats being just like TV, you might as well get used to it.
Besides, I always hate for them to end because its back to the real world when they are over. And with all the TV dollars involved, like it or not, it’s here to stay.
We are already into baseball mode here with Phillip’s competitive team full into practice for the first tournament in mid-March. I hope he has as good a year as the last because he really learned some serious baseball.
So these days I can be found out throwing baseballs with both sons. It can get confusing for an old guy like me with Phillip throwing right-handed and Richard, my seven-year old, throwing left.
Do yourself a favor and get out to Howard Coliseum and see our Rangers play their last three home games in February. The girls have a great team and the men’s team has a habit of making others teams look real, well, let’s just say look real bad.
Get out and enjoy the upcoming spring and summer. Throw a football or baseball with your kids or kids, get your parents out and throw with them.
Play baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, golf or tennis. It’s a great way to get to know your family. I know the times we spend at games are some of the best ever quality family time.
Though I will say to anyone that I can walk out on the field at Neyland Stadium with over one hundred and eight thousand in the seats that hate me and I’m not near as nervous as when Phillip or Richard steps up to the plate.
With both being true switch-hitters it just adds to the excitement and heart rate to see which side they are going to hit from.
Thanks for reading these this season and many thanks to all whom have told me in person how much they enjoy this. It’s a real "labor of love" I promise.
See you next August in the football specials. Take care and God bless.
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The South Panola powerlifting team will open its season at the Tiger Invitation at Charleston, Saturday, February 4.
Team members include (row 1) Xavier Lee;
(row 2, l to r) Leroy Chapman, Deshun Sandridge, Cameron Wagner, Montez Austin;
(row 3, l to r) Allen Burdette, Morrie Turner, Jason Milam, Alfonzo Tucker, Terrance Griffin, Larry Milton, Darryl Thomas;
(row 4, l to r) Jonathan Wilson, Travius Butler, Jarred Draper, David Baker, David Harris, South Oakes and Josh Forehand. They are coached by Arnie Oakes and Pat Oakes.
All 19 members will compete at Charleston, but only the 12 best lifters can compete in the district. Returning from last year are Wagner, Oakes, Butler, Wilson, Harris, Milton, Draper and Griffin.
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| ND Jr. High boys advance |
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North Delta’s Kathleen Snyder had to throw the ball high over this Tunica player who went air bound to try to block the ball.
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| By Myra Bean
The North Delta Jr. High Boys won their first game in district tournament action over Indianola Saturday afternoon by 13 points, according to head coach Brad Wilson.
In the girls game, North Delta lost 44-12 and was led in scoring by Sara Waldrip with six points. The junior high girls won three games this season. This loss was the end of the season for the junior high girls.
Official stats were not kept for the boys, Wilson said.
He did say that Taylor Herron, Bateman Greenlee and Geri Lamm "had really good games."
The Green Wave had to face Lee Academy of Clarksdale Monday night in order to advance to the semi-final round tonight but the score was not available at press time. The winner of the North Delta/Lee game will play the winner of the Marshall Academy/Kirk Academy game.
In Saturday’s game, the North Delta boys got in early foul trouble, according to Wilson.
"I had to sit three starters down in the first quarter, due to foul trouble," Wilson said.
Wilson termed this 10th win a "big win" for the boys.
"The boys are real happy to be where they are but not satisfied," Wilson said.
North Delta Varsity Ladies
The varsity girls ended the regular season with a 37-26 loss to Tunica Institute of Learning (TIL).
North Delta played TIL close through most of the game until the end when they started fouling to stop the clock.
The game was tied a couple of times in the second and third quarters. The Lady Green Waves even led for a minute or so in the second quarter.
At the half, TIL led 15-12.
On a Nikki Darby free throw, the game was tied against 16 with 3:39 left on the third quarter clock. TIL hit a free throw to break the tie at the 3:16 mark, but Lady Wave Kathleen Snyder hit a free throw to tie the game at 17 with 2:47 in the third.
TIL started pulling away and led 21-17 at the end of the third quarter.
The Lady Green Wave did what they could to stop TIL and the clock in the fourth quarter, but were not able to take advantage of offensive rebounds and score the field goals.
North Delta Varsity Men
The men had a tremendous game taking a 68-23 win. TIL was no match for the fast pace the Green Wave played and were the victims of numerous turnovers.
The hometown crowd was led by a group of students who painted themselves green and/or white and kept the Green Wave spirit up throughout the game. They were loud and boisterous and the basketball team thrived under the support of their fellow students.
The Green Wave led 23-10 going into the second quarter after starting out with a 6-0 lead. At the half the Green Waves were very comfortable with a 42-12 lead.
Since there are only eight players on the Green Wave team, there was not much substituting of younger players for Wilson to go to so the starters saw a lot of time in the second half.
North Delta ended the regular season 2-10 in the district.
Nathanael Abernethy was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points. Other Green Wave scorers include Brandon White, 15 points; Jacob Gurley, 16 points; Dakota Mabry, 8 points; Evan West, 3 points; and Austin Boling, John Terry Moore and Seth Barnett, 2 points each.
The varsity teams will begin district play Wednesday night at Marshall Academy.
Wednesday at 2 p.m. the Green Wave boys will tangle with Indianola Academy. The winner of this game will take on the winner of the Lee/Carroll game Friday at 8:15 p.m. The consolation game will be played at 3:15 p.m. and the championship game will be 5:45 p.m., both on Saturday.
The Green Wave ladies will take on Bayou Academy Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. The winners will play the Carroll/Marshall winner at 7 p.m. on Friday. The consolation game will be 2 p.m. and the championship game at 4:30 p.m., both on Saturday.
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| NP Lady Cougars cannot find win cure |
| By Myra Bean
The South Panola Lady Tigers would hope their luck would change but it was not to be as they fell 43-41 to Charleston Friday night.
Wins are becoming elusive for the Lady Tigers but they need a big win tonight over the Southaven Lady Chargers to avoid last place in the district.
Last week in Southaven the Lady Tigers lost 61-41.
Against Charleston in a non-conference game Friday night, the Lady Tigers did not see much scoring action from some of their scoring leaders.
Charleston only had four players to score and three of them were in double figures. None of South Panola’s nine scorers scored in double figures.
South Panola led 10-7 at the end of the first quarter and things were looking good. A new Charleston team seem to have entered the court second quarter and proceeded to outscore South Panola 16-4 for a 23-14 halftime lead.
Charleston still kept a comfortable lead 32-21 going into the fourth quarter. The South Panola Lady Tigers turned up the heat in the fourth quarter outscoring Charleston 20-11. South Panola almost caught up but time ran out.
Scoring for South Panola were Tenisha Mitchell and Vetorra Cole, 8 points each; Kim Sanford, 7 points; Sabine Barth, 6 points; Skylar Barnes and Stalisha Cole, 5 points each; Jessica Govan and Tanika Chapman, 2 points each; and Shanice Williams, 1 point.
The Lady Tigers will play at 6 p.m. following the ninth grade Lady Tigers at 5 p.m.
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| Cougars look for remedy |
| By Donna Taylor
The boys basketball program at North Panola is still trying to find a mix that works. They battled the number one team in the state, the Holly Springs Hawks, and lost 85-50. It was not as bad a beating as earlier in the season, when the Hawks pummeled them 90-33, on December 20.
Holly Springs is not only number one in Division 3, but also outranks Division 5 teams like Gulfport and Piney Woods. They also have two players in the Dandy Dozen in Mississippi. Seniors Clevin Hannah and Brandon Ayers are ranked in the top five, and both are being looked at by Division I schools including Ole Miss and Southern Miss. Ayers’ father Joe Ayers, was a stand out at Ole Miss.
Naylond Hayes is the head coach for Holly Springs.
Roderick Jefferson and Bruce Wilbourn, who are also the stars of the football team, have made their impressions in Division 3A, without all of the fanfare as Holly Springs. In the first three games of the season, Wilbourn was averaging only seven points a game, but has managed to kick that stat up a few notches in contests of late.
He appears to be a disciplined athlete and has a potential for a much brighter future than what the Cougars are experiencing now. They’ve won only one game this season, but according to Head Coach Jamone Edwards, "the team is gelling," despite their heartbreaking win/loss record.
Edwards is a freshman coach and has poured his heart and soul into the formation of a winning team that has yet come to fruition.
Jefferson stepped up his game stats, averaging more than 13 points per game, and guard Jeramie Johnson, also a football player, has improved tremendously and all team members seem to be taking some positive directions. Individual stats were not available at press time for the boys team, but will be published in Friday’s edition of the Panolian.
North Panola will be hosted by the Senatobia Warriors tonight, and are hoping for a win.
They will return home Friday to host Independence in a district matchup.
The school has begun selling hoodies, zipper front and pullovers, as well as T-shirts and caps with the Cougar logo on them. For more information on these and other school spirit items, call 487-1070.
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