By Myra Bean

Once again, Panola County is going to the Super Bowl. This is the second time around for native Kory Chapman.

He went to Super Bowl XXXVIIII when the Patriots won and in July of 2005 he brought the ring around Panola County to show it off.

After some consideration, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts and played in the preseason game in Jackson last August.

He was waived September 11 of last season following problems with a hamstring injury. On December 26 he was deactivated and on December 29, he was signed to the practice squad.

He did travel to Miami with the team for Sunday’s Super Bowl game.

The Super Bowl will kickoff at 5:15 p.m. at Dolphins Stadium. The Colts are the favorite to win over the Bears, but the Colts quarterback called the margin ‘ridiculous’ in published statements.

Prince will perform at halftime. Billy Joel will sing the National Anthem.

Apologies sent to the Chapman family. My last information of Kory was from the September 11 information that he was no longer on the team so I did not pursue his whereabouts.

The real story, according to his mother, Frankie, is that he was suffering with that hamstring injury. He was deactivated but has worked hard to make it back to the practice squad.

Efforts to reach Kory before the Super Bowl were not successful.

SP Cheerleaders
So I hope everybody has their Super Bowl food ready. If not, go by Wal-Mart and buy some from the South Panola cheerleaders who will be out there tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with their annual Super Bowl Party sale.

All proceeds from this sale will go towards their trip to the National Cheerleading Competition in Orlando, Fla. next week.

It’s hard to realize in a week they will be looking to improve upon a No. 5 ranking from last year.

Wow! Catch a look at their routine Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m. The high school and junior high squads will hold their annual "Show Night" at
5:30 p.m. Don’t be late or you will miss them. There is no charge.

"The people who are applying really have the confidence and background to walk in and do a great job," Loden said.

Loden said Thursday morning that he had received eight applications and fielded 15 or 20 calls. Most of the those interested were asking if Willis Wright would stay and about the quality of the players, according to Loden.

Wright does plan to stay with the team, Loden said.

The big difference in locating a coach this time compared to 2001 was South Panola had gone through two seasons which did not showcase the quality team and players at South Panola, Loden said.

Now, South Panola is enjoying a 60-0 undefeated record and four straight 5A state championships.

Loden is not releasing names of the applicants as he does not wish to cause trouble for the coaches who are not picked to fill the position.

"A coach’s job is hard enough without them having to explain to their teams why they applied for the job," Loden said.

Not only that, Loden is also taking applications for a director of bands. Last day for those applications is Thursday, February 22.

The last day for prospective coaches to apply for the head football coaching position is Thursday, February 8.

Applications may be mailed to Dr. Gearl Loden, South Panola High School, 601 Tiger Drive, Batesville, MS 38606.

South Panola (8-12 overall, 1-5 district) needed to defeat Southaven for third place in the district going into the district tournament February 13.

Southaven had defeated South Panola 50-42 on January 16.

The Tigers jumped out to a 31-5 lead at the end of the first quarter. Southaven battled back hard in the second quarter outscoring the Tigers 13-12. At the half, the Tigers till lead 25-18.

The second half was played along the same vein. South Panola won the third quarter with a 13-9 scoring drive. Southaven tried to make up the scoring in the fourth, outscoring South Panola

19-18, but the early Tiger lead had assured them of the win.

Tiger Antonio Allen scored a season high 31 points to lead in scoring.

Though Allen was the only Tiger scoring in double figures, six other players contributed to the score.

Other scorers include Rico Key, 6 points; Michael Broadnax and Kerrion Moore, 5 points each; Steven Martin, 4 points; Reagan Bailey, 3 points; and Nicholas Johnson 2, points.

Lady Tigers
The Southaven Lady Chargers turned the tables on the South Panola Lady Tigers with a 46-33 district win Tuesday night.

South Panola (10-10 overall, 3-3 district) won the first contest between these two teams 39-28 on January 16.

Southaven only led 9-7 at the end of the first quarter, but pulled away to a 25-14 lead at half time.

The Lady Tigers were never able to catch up.

Sabrina Townsend and Vetorra Cole led the Lady Tigers in scoring with 10 points each. Skylar Barnes scored 9 points.

That concluded the district games for the Tiger teams. They will be open tonight, but return to regular season action Tuesday to host Independence in the final home game of the season. Tipoff is 6 p.m.