By Angie Ledbetter

After having only an 18-14 lead at the half the South Panola Tigers bounced back in the second stanza scoring 23 unanswered points to defeat the Tupelo Golden Wave 41-14.

The Tigers improved to 6-2 and remain in control of their district with a 4-0 record. The Golden Wave fell to 3-5 overall and next to last in the district with a 1-3 record.

The Tigers won the toss and deferred to the second half. On the first play of the game defensive back Je’Tavious Turner sacked Tupelo’s Alex Norwood and the Golden Wave punted the ball with 10:08 on the clock.

Starting their first possession on their own 49 the Tigers drove the ball to the Golden Wave’s 34. Rip Kirk connected with DeAndrea Harris on a 34 yard touchdown and the extra point attempt was no good giving the Tiger’s a 6-0 lead.

Tupelo took their first lead of the game when Norwood took the ball from the one on a keeper and the PAT was good by Drew White giving them a 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Tigers regained a 12-7 lead when Kirk found Harris on a 17 yard touchdown pass but the two point conversion attempt from Kirk to Tyler Beard was no good.

The lead would change once again when Tupelo’s wide receiver Jarvis Wilson scored on a 43 touchdown pass from Norwood and the PAT by White was good putting the Golden Wave up 14-12.

The last lead change of the game came in the second quarter when Ladarius Strong scored on a one yard run and the two point conversion attempt was no good giving the Tigers an 18-14 lead at the half.

Head Coach Lance Pogue was a little disappointed in the first half.

 “I thought we were sluggish especially defensively but I give credit to Tupelo because they had a nice little plan. Their quarterback did a good job,” he said.

The second half of the game was all Tigers as they dominated every phase putting up 23 unanswered points while stopping the Golden Wave from getting in the endzone.

“We challenged the guys at halftime to pick up the intensity. I think that was one of the things lacking along with our enthusiasm.”

Sibley kicked a 24 yard field goal with in the third quarter putting the Tigers up 21-14.

The turnaround of the game came a couple of plays later when Harris intercepted Tupelo’s ball returning it 63 yards for a touchdown. The Tigers extended their lead to 28 to end the third.

With just a few seconds off the clock to start the fourth, Tyler Beard scored on a one yard carry but the PAT attempt was no good again putting the Tigers up 34-14 over Tupelo.

The last touchdown came when Bailey Lawrence scored on a one yard touchdown run and Sibley’s PAT was good.

“I appreciate the guys keeping it going for us all week. Things happen in life but life moves on. I’m really proud of the coaches and players tonight.”

Pogue thought special teams did an outstanding job.

“We recovered a fumble off of a punt on the first drive of the second half and that was big. Our coverage units were good. We continued to punt the ball good but are a little disappointed that we missed two extra points. We’ve got to figure out why that’s happening because we haven’t had that. But overall I was real proud of our kicking game.”

The Tigers recorded 400 total yards, 23 first downs and five penalties for 44 yards. Tupelo had 137 total yards, eight first downs and six penalties for 53 yards.

Kirk completed 10 of 17 for 128 yards with two touchdowns. Harris had six receptions for 83 yards with two touchdowns.

Leading in rushing were Henderson with nine for 68 yards followed by Strong with 13 carries for 57 yards and one touchdown. Lawrence had three carries for 23 yards with one touchdown.

Flowers had one interception return for 40 yards. Ephraim Kitchens lead the team in tackles with seven and three pass deflections.

The Tigers are celebrating homecoming week with “Giddy up Tigers” theme. The Powder Puff game will be Thursday night at 6:30. They’ll host Southaven Friday night.