The layout for the 2010 National Championship Book featuring the South Panola Football team is complete. It will be ordered this week so if you want one on the early bird special, you need to fill out the form on the back page and get it in.

Included in the book is a dedication to Batesville’s own Deshea Townsend, who is now officially an assistant coach in the NFL. (See the related story on the front page).

Tiger head coach Lance Pogue sat down for an interview about his journey of being the Tigers’ coach and about the team which just won the national championship.

Not to give everything away, but a few pages were dedicated to the 2008 and 2009 teams which were a building block for this year’s team. Teams in 2002-07 were covered in the Drive for 5 book published in 2008. That book is on sale with the purchase of the new book for only $5.

The sports writers and photographers took a look back through this year and highlighted some of the events and playmakers which made this season so special and memorable. NFL players Jamarca Sanford, Peria Jerry and John Jerry from South Panola are featured.

There is also a chapter for the 12th man on the field at every game, the fans and support organizations which follow the team no matter how far, cold or wet.

A real distinguished edition to this book are letters from different community and state leaders and law enforcement officers who heeded the call and wrote letters of congratulations.

There is so much “meat” in this book that everyone who receives one should be thrilled that they made the investment.

Because so many people contributed to this National Championship book, I believe it to be better this second time around. I am very eager to see it in print.

This hardbound volume will be a keepsake for a very long time.

Again I urge everyone to preorder their books because we will only order a limited number of extra books. Also, after March 25, the books will be $5 more, $24.95 plus tax.

Thanks so much to everyone who contributed to this book. I mostly thank the South Panola football team for giving us a reason to celebrate their season in this fashion.