By Angie Ledbetter

After having a week off the South Panola Tigers (2-2) are looking to make a turn around when they start division play tonight on the road against the undefeated (4-0) Horn Lake Eagles.

Head coach Lance Pogue is pleased with the team’s progress during the week off.
“I think we’ve had a really good open date but obviously we’re just practicing against ourselves and working on a lot of things. We worked on getting some guys better that were sore. It was a typical open date just trying to find ways to improve like everyone does.”

Things have gone great since the Gulfport game, according to Pogue.

“Practice has been outstanding with great attitudes from the coaches and players. We haven’t let anything get in the way of that either. We’re not happy and we’d love to be undefeated or 3-1 but it didn’t happen.”
Pogue said, “The guys are excited and looking forward to starting their second season tonight. They understand now what we do in the second season with division play is our focus. We realize we have some opportunities to still play for a state championship.”  

 But do not count the Eagles out too fast because they enter the game with a 4-0 record. They opened the season defeating Munford, Tenn. 44-23 then beat Lake Cormorant 28-21 the following week. On September 9 Horn Lake defeated Sheffield Tenn. 16-8 and last week edged past Hernando 28-27 in overtime.

“Horn Lake is greatly improved over the last five years. They’re 4-0 and obviously feeling good about themselves. We’re going to their place so it’s a big game for them and us. Our guys are excited about opening up the division play.”

The Eagles will be lead by junior quarterback Josh Cooley, 6’2”/220 pounds. Cooley has passed for 555 yards for five touchdowns and carried the ball 45 times for 302 yards with two touchdowns.

“He’s Coach John Cooley’s son and a really good leader out there who’s been around the game and has a lot of confidence leading his team,” Pogue said. “He can really throw the ball and is an outstanding runner. A mixture of run and pass, he’s a very tough guy.”

Another key player is junior running back Antwain Smith, 5’9”, 160 pounds, who has eight catches for 203 yards with two touchdowns.

“He’s a receiver who plays running back too and a small guy with a lot of quickness and speed. We’ve got to contain him. They have several other guys also.”

The defense is lead by junior linebacker Chequille Williams, 58 tackles; senior linebacker Manny Leyva, 41 tackles and senior linebacker Rolandeis Toliver,  40 tackles on the season.

“The defense has improved no question,” Pogue said. “Coach Cooley is probably is in his fourth season now and you can tell he’s turning the corner. He’s got his kids believing and have improved both defensively, offensively and in the kicking game. They’re a solid football team in all phases. They wouldn’t be 4-0 if not.”

The Tigers are hoping to put all phases of the game together tonight.

“We’ve got to get pressure on the quarterback and obviously stop the run,” he said. “We’ve got to continue to play good defense. Offensively we’re still hoping and feel like we’re close to having a game where we can break out some. That’s what we’ve been working on.”

Last year the Tigers defeated the Eagles 62-7 at home.

Kickoff tonight is at 7:30 at Horn Lake High School football field, 3360 Church Road.