By Myra Bean

Football teams are heading into week four of a month-long rain deluge which will have the football teams again scrambling for footing tonight.

The North Panola Cougars (3-4 overall, 1-2 district) will travel to Olive Branch to take on Lewisburg High School in its fourth district game of the season. Lewisburg (1-7 overall, 0-3 district) is struggling to find the answer to securing a win. The Patriots are averaging 17.25 points per game but giving up 31.25 points per game.

Their only win was against Strayhorn, 41-6, September 25.

In district the Patriots have fallen to Rosa Fort 34-6, Center Hill 21-16 and Byhalia 19-6.

North Panola head coach Clifton Davis Jr. said Lewisburg could have won the last two district games against Center Hill and Byhalia.

“They have been snakebitten at the end,” Davis said. “They will be hungry for a district win.”

Against Byhalia last week, Lewisburg had the ball at the one, but tried a Florida Tim Tebow jump throw, Byhalia intercepted the pass to kill the possession.

Against Center Hill October 2, Lewisburg led most of the game but Center Hill staged a comeback to win by five points.

“Lewisburg had some errors down the stretch,” Davis said. “They did not make the plays toward the end.”

Lewisburg uses the spread offense, the offense made famous by the Florida Gators and will use a lot of misdirection. On defense they mostly use the 4-3 but will occasionally use a 5-2 scheme, according to Davis.

The Cougars will have to be disciplined and read the keys, Davis said. North Panola needs this win to keep on track for a playoff berth.

“They are a dangerous team,” he added.

Two starters are still slightly “banged up” Davis said but will play. Vernon Lewis and Darius Loveberry are dealing with ankle issues and getting treatment for them.

Kickoff for tonight’s district contest is 7 p.m.

Other games on tap tonight for district opponents are Byhalia (4-4; 1-3) at Center Hill (4-4, 1-2); Lafayette (7-1; 4-0) at Fort Walton, Fla.; and Senatobia (6-1; 2-1) at Rosa Fort.