By Angie Ledbetter

The No. 1 nationally ranked South Panola Tigers (10-0, 6-0) captured their ninth straight district championship with a 47-13 win over the Starkville Yellowjackets.

In 10 games, the Tigers have outscored their opponents 486-83 points. In division action, the Tigers lead with a 6-0 record followed by Southaven, Tupelo and Olive Branch 4-2 each. Starkville is 3-3, Horn Lake 2-4, Columbus 1-5 and Desoto Central 0-6.

Qyen Griffin led the Tiger corps with touchdown runs of 72, 9 and 65 yards. Lakedrick Flowers added a touchdown after returning a fumble for 32 yards.

Quarterback Lee Self connected with Taylor Rotenberry on a 10-yard touchdown for the fourth score of the game. Marcus Henry caught a three-yard pass from Kendrick Market giving the Tigers a 32-7 lead.

Self found Brassell for a three-yard touchdown reception. Donnell Chapman added his two-point conversion after connecting with Market. Clayton Sibley went three-of-three on extra points to add to the  scoring.

Griffin led the offense with 286 yards on 19 carries.

Brassell had four receptions for 39 yards. Self completed eight of 16 for 71 yards with two touchdowns. Market was one of one for three yards with one touchdown. Brassell had one kickoff return for 24 yards.

The Yellowjacket’s scoring consisted of a 14-yard interception return by Stanley Childs in the second quarter. The last score was a 20-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter by Preston Baker capped off with the extra point kick by Daniel Fumo.

The Tiger’s defense was led Tony Conner with six tackles followed by Issac Gross with five, Kendall Carr and Dennis Draper with four tackles each and Gregdrecus Leland three. Recovering fumbles were Draper, Flowers, Gross and Rotenberry. Conner caused one fumble.

The defense held the Yellowjackets to 135 yards rushing and 70 passing for a total of 205 yards.

The Tigers had 395 rushing yards and 74 passing for a total of 469.  

Tiger head coach Lance Pogue said Starkville was a good team.

“They’ll be in the playoffs,” he said. “We had a big night putting that many points up and not giving up many yards. They intercepted a pass on us and then scored on our young guys late in the game with their first team offense still in the game.”

“We’re one game away from the playoffs and the good Lord has been good to us. I feel like we’re in good position but it’s a lot left to be done. Our team is good with a good attitude and we’ve got a chance. That’s all we can ask for.”

Sophomore kicker Sibley talked about getting the opportunity to kick.

“I never thought in a million years that I’d get to kick this early but I’m loving it. Last year I wanted to try but I got hurt and gave it up. Then I heard on the radio at the Petal game that they were wanting a kicker so I thought why not try it out. I tried it, got on the team and now I’m starting. My line is doing great and I give them all of the credit. I couldn’t do it without them.”

Pogue told the team after the game to keep their attitudes going the right way and nothing would stop them.

“It’s one game at a time here on through. There are things out there in front of you so work hard for it and do it.”

Coach Jamie Easley told the defense that he saw a look in their eyes before the game that he hadn’t seen all year.

“That’s it and now it’s time to turn the pressure up.”

Mississippi State head football coach Dan Mullen was on the sideline taking in the game.

Brassell who recently verbally committed to MSU said with a smile, “It felt good seeing him at the game tonight. This game was good tonight by all of the team. Griffin did a good job of running the ball and Henry did a good job. It was just a team effort.”

After the game was over, Brassell, Griffin, Market and Draper all entertained the fans with their new invention of their own signature dance for winning.

“It’s a new dance and we were having fun but we had to go old school though.”