By Myra Bean
The North Panola Cougars (1-2)gave it all they had, but Lafayette Co. (1-2) came out on top in a 47-6 non-conference contest Friday night.

No matter what the Cougar offense did, a Commodore defender was there to make life in Oxford hard for the Sardis team.

Quarterback Quin Ellis did his best to stand tall and wait for an open receiver but the Commodores were the impatient types.

They rushed him, as the defense is supposed to do, and forced incomplete pass after incomplete pass. Then, they intercepted him four times.

The Cougars recovered some fumbles deep in their own territory to stop Commodore drives to the end zone, but would turn the ball back over to Lafayette without scores of its own.

The one bright spot of the evening came on the final play of the first half as Ellis scored on a one-yard play. That score was aided by a long run by Vernon Lewis.

The Cougars had 136 total offensive yards, 64 rushing, 74 passing.

Rodregus Salter was the leading rusher with 46 yards on nine carries. Lewis followed with 22 yards on 20 carries.

Lafayette County had 543 total yards, 313 on the ground, 230 passing.

The Cougars are glad to put this one behind them as they prepare to begin the district season.

The Cougars will be in Holly Springs to face the Hawks on Friday with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

They return home next week for homecoming festivities on September 26.