By Myra Bean

North Panola scored its first points of the season and almost won the non-district game against South Pontotoc Friday night. However, the Cougars lost 79 yards and a safety on multiple high snaps in the 25-24 loss.

North Panola (0-4) built a 14-0 lead on two touchdown passes from junior quarterback Martavius Butler to freshman wide receiver Willie Hibbler.

The first touchdown was a 31-yard hookup from 31 yards out with 8 minutes left in the first quarter. The second came with 4:21 left in the quarter after a tackle led to a fumble caused by junior linebacker Aaron Kimmons. Junior linebacker Izear Farmer recovered the fumble.

The first touchdown capped a nine-play, 69-yard drive but the two-point conversion failed. The second touchdown capped a five-play, 58-yard drive. The two-point conversion by Tony Hibbler was good.
Butler completed 12 of 26 passes for 148 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Butler had 10 carries for a minus 57 yards.

South Pontotoc (2-3) put together a drive in the first quarter to cut the lead 14-7 after the PAT (point after touchdown). South Pontotoc scored on a one-yard run with two minutes left in the quarter.

With 10:10 left in the first half, Kimmons sacked the Pontotoc quarterback in the end zone for a safety and the 16-7 lead. After the kick, North Panola fumbled and Pontotoc recovered with 10:02 left in the half on the Cougar 12-yard line. South Pontotoc scored on a two-yard run with 5:50 left. The kick was good to cut the Cougar lead 16-14.

Despite some tough Cougar defensive plays, South Pontotoc converted a 32-yard field goal as time expired in the first half for the 17-16 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, South Pontotoc padded its lead, 19-16, on a Cougar bad snap which resulted in a safety with 8:53 on the clock.

South Pontotoc scored what turned out to be its final score of the game on its second possession of the third quarter. Pontotoc started on the Cougar 34-yard line after a short punt. With 6:32 left, Pontotoc’s Matt Adams scored on a five-yard run. Tony Hibbler blocked the PAT so the score stood 25-16.

Later in the quarter, Cougar Tony Hibbler caused a fumble and Willie Hibbler recovered. The cougars turned that fumble into a touchdown as Butler connected with Chris Conner on a short pass and he ran 32 yards for the score with 2:01 on the clock. The two-point conversion was a completed eight-yard pass from Butler to Jaquay Daniels after an ineligible receiver penalty to pull the Cougars within one point, 25-24.

Cougars were grounding out yards in the fourth quarter, but South Pontotoc had an answer as each possession ended in a punt well short of the goal line.

The North Panola offense had 246 total yards, including 98 rushing and 148 receiving. They were hit with 106 yards on 18 penalties.

South Pontotoc had 217 total offensive yards, including 163 rushing, and was penalized eight times for 75 yards.

Leading receivers were Willie Hibbler, three receptions for 56 yards, two touchdowns, followed by Conner with 36 yards on three receptions and one touchdown. Conner was also the leading rusher with 158 yards on 12 carries, averaging 13.17 yards per carry.

Daniels has two receptions for 40 yards and Jatavius Farmer had three receptions for 19 yards.

The Cougars return home Friday after three weeks on the road to host John F. Kennedy of Mound Bayou in non—district action at 7:30 p.m. Next week, the Cougars will be celebrating homecoming as they start district action hosting Marks Palmer on September 30.