By Angie Ledbetter
A few years back in the Pope community, a sixth grader found his love on the football field. As each year approached, he started to make a name for himself.

Game after game while his opponents stared in a daze, he zig zagged the field until reaching the end zone. Some called him one of the best athletes around and predicted that one day he would start for the South Panola Tigers

Years later a junior, Kendrick Market is all over Robert H. Dunlap field on Friday nights helping his South Panola Tigers strive for another state championship title.

Market, 5’9”, 170 pounds, still loves everything about the game he plays every Friday night but says it has been very hard to step up as a junior this year.

“We (juniors) made up our minds that we were going to step up,” said Market. “We’ve been all together on it.”

With Market in performance on both sides of the ball, he said it isn’t too hard when you want to win.

“You just go out there and play. I love playing anywhere as long as we can score some points,” he said.

Putting up volume stats on the defense, Market leans to that side of the ball.

“I love playing defense because I love hitting and being physical. I think our defense is the best in the state.”

On defense he has 23 tackles and 33 assists for a total of 56, averaging  4.3 tackles per game. He has two interceptions, six pass deflections and one fumble recovery.

The quarterback position also appeals to Market.

“I like throwing the ball,” he said. “The ‘Wild Tiger’ has improved our offense.”

On offense he has scored six touchdowns and rushed the ball 58 times for 573 yards. He completed five of 10 passes for 108 yards.

Since the beginning of the season, he has been expecting the north half game to be between Madison Central and his Tigers.

“I’m excited to be playing them because everyone has been talking about them for so long and expecting them to beat us. It’s going to be a physical game and it will take all of us to win it. They’ve got some great receivers.”

Tiger head coach Lance Pogue was all praise for Market.

“Market has filled a lot of voids,” Pogue said. “Last year he played corner for us on defense but this year we moved him to linebacker in the same spot that David Conner played. He has had a great year. We can put him everywhere on defense and do a lot of things with him.”

Offensively, Pogue found a place for him that is “very valuable” to the team. He is the quarterback for the wild tiger play.

“He’s made some big plays and adds another credit,” Pogue said.

“He’s a heck of a player on both sides of the ball and an impact kid for us no matter where he is. On the field when the whistle is blown, he’s going to lay it on the line. He’s a gifted athlete with a lot of talent and very tough.

“Market is a great kid who comes from a good family,” Pogue continued. “He’s the kind of kid that you dream about coaching. He’s one of great character and does a good job in school. Everything is ‘yes, sir’ and ‘no, sir’ from him.”

Market’s goal is to play college football after he graduates next year.