SP opens district at Horn Lake

By Myra Bean

The South Panola Tigers and the Horn Lake Eagles will renew their yearly district battle on new ground tonight.

Horn Lake (3-1) will host the Tigers (4-0) on their new field to open up the district season.

Last year at this time, the Tigers were approaching the state record win streak with a 40-7 win over the Eagles. Now that record is in the history books and the Tigers are looking to extend it even more.

There have been some harried games between the Tigers and the Eagles in the past. Last year South Panola led only 14-0 at halftime.

A few seasons ago during Ricky Woods’ time, the teams went into halftime tied at 20. During the time of coach Ed Stanley, fans may remember the triple overtime win of the Tigers over the Eagles.

Usually, the Eagles give the Tigers a good game. Marked improvement has been seen in the Eagles ball team each year.

This year the team has started with three straight wins before falling to the tough Ripley Tigers last week 48-27. They have defeated Byhalia, upset Oxford and defeated Memphis Westwood in preparation for tonight’s game.

The Tigers extended its win streak to 64 with last week’s 43-12 win over Memphis Trezevant last week.

South Panola still holds the longest active win streak in the nation. That streak has been in the national rankings as the Tigers moved to No. 14 from No. 15 in the USA Today polls this week.

Horn Lake entered a new school last year, but played on Tiger field in 2006. This year the Tigers get to visit Horn Lake on their new turf.

The school is now located on Church Road.

Directions: Take I-55 North. Take the Church Road exit, turn left onto Church Road. Keep straight across Highway 51. Go about 2 miles will come to a 4-way stop. Keep straight over the hill. The school is on the right.