By Angie Ledbetter
“This is one week that you’ll have the whole state of Mississippi pulling for you,” South Panola head football coach told his players last Friday after handily defeating Grenada.  

The long-awaited day is almost here as only a three days remain for the clash of the South: South Panola vs. Apopka, Fla.

Some media are referring to the meeting as the showdown of the year between two great teams from two different states. The Mississippi 5A State Champions South Panola Tigers will face the toughest test of the young season Friday when they host the No. 1 ranked 6A team in Florida, the Apopka Blue Darters.

Kickoff is set at 7 p.m. and will be televised live on ESPNU. Admission to the game will be $10. All South Panola fans are asked to wear red to show support.

USA Today ranked the Tigers at No. 21 but overlooked the Blue Darters. Rivals.com ranks Apopka at No. 16 and South Panola No. 17.

Since the news broke last spring of the game anticipation has increased each week. It has been written about and talked about across the state of Mississippi with media, fans, players, coaches and everyone who knows the “University of South Panola Tigers,” getting a word in.

One of the vast difference separating these two great teams is 800 miles or 13 hours. Some Apopka fans acquired their airline tickets when the schedules were first released but with gas prices soaring, travel numbers may be diminshed. A charter bus will bring some fans on the road trip to support their team.

Tiger head coach Lance Pogue told his team Friday night after the Grenada game that this game was being built up and it was going to be talked about all the way through.

“But we have to focus and get prepared,” he said. “We have got to get prepared Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There will be nobody against you this week, I promise you. I’ve had calls from lots of different coaches throughout. Everybody is on your side.”

Pogue then encouraged the player to do their part, listen to their position coaches and be ready for the game. He also encouraged them to get their school work done this week and to stay out of trouble.

“When we get down here, let’s focus on that. It’s going to be a lot of fun but we have got to do our homework to make sure we’re ready to play. Seniors, we need your help in leadership.”

The Tigers will be asked to lay it all on the field at Robert H. Dunlap stadium when the Blue Darters walk on. Apopka will be showcasing a team of 33 players that consist of 10 seniors, 16 juniors, six sophomores, and one freshman.

Apopka Head Coach Rick Darlington could not say “excited” is the word he would use when talking about playing South Panola.

“Playing a team as good as Coach Pogue has in South Panola, I don’t know if exciting is the word,” Darlington said. “It’s not one of those things you get all excited about. I can’t think of a word. I can’t say that we’re looking forward to it but we’ll be there.”

He did say playing South Panola was “pretty scary.”

“It’ll take a monumental effort to just hang in there with them,” Darlington said. “But playing each other can only help both of us. I’m sure it’ll help them down the road with their tougher games and it’ll help us with our tough games here, too.”

Apopka will rely more on quickness, according to Darlington.

“They’re real big and strong and physical on both sides of the ball,” he said. “South Panola’s defensive lineman are bigger than our offensive linemen. They literally may out weigh our defensive linemen by 100 pounds a man up front. Our defensive linemen all weigh about 180 and I’m looking at those guys who weigh 295 and all that on the offensive line. I know their strength is being strong and physical so it could be a long night for us.”

Darlington said none of his players are what one could call real big.

“When you see our players, you’re going to say oh my gosh. We kind of look like a Pop Warner team. We don’t have a guy on defense over 200 pounds. I don’t know if we’re going to be able to match up with South Panola’s offensive line, they’re so big and strong and physical. It’s going to be a tough one.”

Apopka will field a relatively young team with 10 seniors and mostly juniors.

“I’m not saying we’re not an experienced team because a lot of those juniors started last year as sophomores. We’re kind of a junior loaded team but our seniors are very important in what we do.”       

Darlington talked about quarterback Jeremy Gallon.

“He plays all kinds of things, running back and quarterback for us. He isn’t real big but stout and quick and a very smart football player. He is one of our strongest players even though he doesn’t carry a lot of weight.  We’re glad he is on our team.”

Another key player is Pooh Bear Mars, who is a four-year starter and a linebacker. Senior, Caleb Nelson, plays quarterback and safety.

“He’s a good player and makes some good plays,” Darlington said.

Runningback Travelle Davis is a three-year starter and he has done well so far, according to Darlington.

“All of our defensive lineman are underclassmen, all eight of them. Our linebackers, besides Pooh Bear, are all juniors. We have a sophomore fullback, Tom Smith, who is going to be a good player eventually.”

Darlington is in his seventh year as head coach at Apopka but over two stretches. He coached from 1999-2002 and left to coach at Valdosta, Ga. for three years before returning to Apopka in 2006.

“We have a great staff,” Darlington said. “They really work hard and get along good. They all have different roles and do them well.”

The defensive coordinator, Matt Anderson, has known Darlington throughout both stints.
“He (Anderson) coaches our defensive line and is a good worker. He has been with me the longest. The other guys jumped on when we got back.”