By Myra Bean

“We will have our hands full,” said North Panola head football coach Clifton Davis Jr.

After a week off from football, the North Panola Cougars are back on the gridiron tonight to host the Senatobia Warriors in the first district game of the season. The Cougars enter the district season with a 2-2 non-district record.

“We are up to the task,” Davis said.

Senatobia has not enjoyed a week off and enter the season 5-0 overall, 1-0 district with a win over Byhalia last week 33-0. Senatobia has scored 187 points and allowed 93 points with one shutout.

They opened the season with a 39-32 win over Winona, followed by a 48-21 win over Corinth. They defeated Independence September 4, 38-20 and defeated Oxford 29-20.

Warrior quarterback Dex Herrington has completed 43 of 65 passes for 739 yards and seven touchdowns and one interception.

Leading rushers for the Warriors are Josh Garrett with 439 yards and two touchdowns; Herrington, 332 yards and three touchdowns; Quintavius Burdette, 270 yards and six touchdowns; and Quinterrius Wink, 11 yards and four touchdowns. Leading receiver is Kentrell Bowen with 333 yards and three touchdowns; and Dekota Moore, 272 yards and one touchdown.

Leading tacklers are Marquel Jackson with 35, and Demetrius Garrett with 27 total tackles.

Davis said Senatobia is a small, but quick team which uses the spread offense and the 4-3 defense.

“We have to stop the run and take that away from them,” he said.

North Panola went into the bye week with a last minute 13-12 win over Greenwood on September 11.

Kickoff in Sardis is 7:30 p.m.