By Myra Bean

North Panola Jr. High opened the football season with a 22-12 loss to Tunica.

The young Cougar team made some strides but key stops by Tunica was the difference.
Tunica struck first on a 62-yard pass touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. The receiver got behind the Cougar defense and sprinted for the endzone. Tunica converted the two-point conversion with 7:47 left on the first quarter clock for the 8-0 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, North Panola’s Justin Conner returned the Tunica favor and took the return 70 yards for a touchdown with 7:40 left on the clock. North Panola’s two-point attempt failed as Tunica retained an 8-6 lead.

North Panola took the lead on a 67-yard touchdown reception from Roderick Bobo to Conner with 6:02 left in the half. North Panola’s two-point attempt failed again and the score stood 12-8.
Tunica retook the lead for good with 1:42 left in the first half on a 54-yard touchdown. With the two-point attempt, Tunica led 16-12 at the half.

Tunica held North Panola scoreless the rest of the game, but scored on a four-yard run with 5:05 left in the game. With the missed PAT, Tunica led 22-20.

The junior high Cougars were trying to score as the time expired. Bobo completed a 21-yard pass to Jarvis Duncan when he was stopped short of the goal line at the one as the buzzer had sounded when he caught ball.

Bobo completed 10 of 11 passes for 115 yards. He also had  five carries for 14 yards. Conner completed one pass for a minus eight yards.

Conner had nine rushes for 25 yards and caught three passes for 66 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Duncan had four receptions for 44 yards.

North Panola had 166 total yards with 107 passing yards.

The Junior High Cougars will host Coldwater Thursday at 5:30 p.m.