By Angie Ledbetter

The South Panola Tigers silenced many critics with a 19-7 win over nemesis Memphis University Owls last Friday night.

The Tigers racked up 233 total yards that included 205 rushing and 28 passing on 54 plays.  
Tony Conner led his team with 81 yards on 19 carries with one touchdown. Quandez Lee followed with 75 yards on 12 carries. Ladarius Strong rushed 10 times for 51 yards and one touchdown. Conner also had one kickoff return 99 yards for a touchdown.

Leading the defense was Issac Gross with seven tackles and one sack. Temario Strong had four with one sack and Deshawn Lindsay had four.

“Defensively, I thought we played good all night except one drive,” said Tiger head coach Lance Pogue. “Our defensive line that included Gross, Strong, Carr and Nick Johnson had a big game. I was really proud of our linebackers and defensive backs. This time we had a good showing in our kicking game also.”

Conner set the pace early in the game when he returned the opening kickoff from Gary Wunderlich 99 yards for a score. Clayton Sibley added the PAT for a 7-0 lead. With 37 seconds left in the quarter Conner struck again from one yard out but the PAT failed giving the Tigers a 13-0 lead.

“That gave the team some spark. He has those capabilities so we got some spark going offensively early in the first half.”

With 7:25 on the clock in the second quarter Ladarius Strong took the ball from 11 yards out but the two point conversion failed giving the Tigers a 19-0 lead at the half.

The Owls scored with 7:23 left in the game on a Jordan Rodgers hookup with Fernando Van Hook for 51 yards and the PAT was good.

“We had a great week and the kids had a positive attitude working through adversity and sticking together as a team,” Pogue said.

“Obviously there are some things we’re going to continue to work on and improve but anytime you win it just makes it better.”

Tomorrow the Tigers will be on the road to Gulfport to play their third Saturday game of the season against the Gulfport Admirals at 5 p.m.

The Admirals have a history of making it to the playoffs. Last year they lost in the second round to Meridian 37-7.

This week Gulfport is ranked No. 8 in the Clarion-Ledger with a 1-1 overall record and stand at No. 5 in 6A Region 4.They fell to Picayune 17-14 in their season opener but bounced back shutting out Moss Point 43-0 two weeks ago. They had a bye week last week.

“We’ve got this four game stretch and last one before our open date so we have to find a way to win down there. Gulfport is one of the top programs in the state.”

One key Gulfport player to watch is Travon Travis a 5-11/170 senior wide receiver.

“He’s a fast guy who is one of the top players in the state.”

Leading the Admirals will be junior quarterback Chandler Malley a 6-0/200.

“He’s a really good quarterback and they have a big line also. It’s going to be a big challenge for us on the road but I think we got better last week in a lot of areas and I think the kids will be ready.”
Gulfport runs the ball most of the time but will throw some. On defense the team is playing a lot of young players similar to the Tigers.

“They have a lot of speed and they’re not giving up much right now on points. It’ll be a big challenge for our offense but we need that,” Pogue said. “We’ve got to continue to get better and find ways to be productive and against good people.”

 Pogue will be facing one of his friends in Gulfport head coach Mike Justice. Justice was one of his assistant coaches at the U. S. All American Army Bowl in San Antonio in January.

“We go a long way back and have a lot of respect for each other. We have a great friendship but when the whistle blows we’ll put that aside and compete. When it’s all over we’ll shake hands ever which way it turns out.”

Directions: (100 Perry Street). Take I-55 south for 147 miles. Take exit 94 to merge into US-49 S. toward Hattiesburg for 156 miles. Turn left onto E. Beach Blvd going 3.1 miles. Turn left onto Court House Road for .7 miles. Turn right onto Perry Street and go .1 mile.