By Myra Bean
Willie Hibbler got the nod as the starting quarterback for the North Panola Cougars tonight in homecoming action against Benton Academy (1-2).

The 6’4”, 208-pound sophomore athlete finished out last week’s win over South Pontotoc after Jatavius Farmer went down with a broken leg.

“The injury was worse than we thought at first,” Cougar head coach Derek King said.

Farmer underwent surgery yesterday for a broken leg and torn ligaments in his ankle.

Hibbler wears a lot of hats on the Cougar team as kicker, punter, wide receiver, defensive back and now quarterback.

Even with the quarterback change, King said the team is excited about homecoming week.

“We are playing another home game and I am also excited,” King said. “We are working to continue our work ethic from last week. We found some things that work last week.”

King also said the players are beginning to understand the team concept weekly.

“We are getting there,” he said.

Benton County is in its first year of football. Ashland and Hickory Flats Schools combined to start a football team head coached by athletic director Eric Rice, former North Panola and South Panola assistant coach.

Their lone victory was a 22-0 upset of Tishomingo County, according to Rice.

Today, to finish celebrating homecoming “Africa-welcome to our jungle,” the annual homecoming parade will be held downtown starting at 5 p.m. followed by the homecoming game at 7:30 p.m.