Starkville kicker William Arick kicked a 32-yard field goal with three seconds left in the first half to take a 15-14 lead.

That just made the Tigers mad. They came out with a vengeance in the second half and ran away with the score.

Taking the team on his shoulder was Dandy Dozen running back Darius “Tig” Barksdale, who scored on a 22-yard run to give the Tigers the lead for good in the third quarter with 6:05 to go. All night long Barksdale was drawing the double and triple team and having to break through the Yellowjacket defense. On this particular play, Barksdale had just one Yellowjacket to get through, Nick Shumaker. He broke from two defenders and kicked out of Shumaker’s hold and sprinted for the score.

Barksdale rushed for 271 yards on 40 carries and three touchdowns. He also scored on runs of one and 10 yards.

Nick Parker had 76 rushing yards on 15 carries and scored the first touchdown of the evening. Quarterback David Renfroe had 29 yards and scored on an 11-yard run.

Starkville tried and completed an onside kick after a South Panola fumble. Starkville quarterback Brad Henderson went for the end zone, but Tiger Montez Austin made a touchdown-saving interception in the end zone as he got in front of the intended receiver. That was Austin’s third interception of the season.

South Panola will end regular season Thursday night at home against DeSoto Central beginning at 6:30 p.m.

North Panola
North Panola pulled out a big 36-15 win over Tunica Rosa Fort and is now third in the district instead of the reported fourth. Senatobia barely took out Independence 14-13 and sent Independence into fourth place.

More information on the playoff scenario in Tuesday’s edition of The Panolian. Instead of traveling to Velma Jackson, it has been reported North Panola will travel to Charleston to play Friday.

North Delta
On a night where the seniors reign, North Delta defeated Winona Christian 34-24. Senior Josh Garrott went out with a concussion in the second quarter. He left a message in the locker room. “Guys I love you, but I had to go home.”

North Delta was down 24-12 at halftime and had to claw their way out of a hole to win.

North Delta will be home Friday to host Hebron Christian in the first round of the playoffs.

More playoff information in Tuesday’s edition of The Panolian.