By Myra Bean

North Panola has one of its biggest tasks ahead tonight as they take on the Charleston Tigers in District 2-3A action in a 7 p.m. kickoff.

It is an important game for both teams. A win for either team would mean the district championship. A loss by North Panola (5-4 overall, 2-1 district) means third place in the district upon a win over Independence next week and playing the first playoff game on the road.

It is no wonder the practices this week for North Panola have been more intense than usual.

“They have no apparent holes,” Cougar head coach Derek King said Wednesday afternoon of Charleston (7-1, 3-0). “They are solid.”

The only team to find some weakness in Charleston was Olive Branch who handed them a 24-13 loss September 6. Since then Charleston has outscored its opponents 205-28, averaging 41 points per game. In the three district games against Water Valley, Independence and Palmer, they have outscored foes 135-10.

“They are Charleston, very fast, very strong,” King said. “They run their system very, very well. They haven’t missed a beat after losing those four great kids last year. Coach turnover hasn’t seemed to matter. We know that Charleston always has a wrinkle here and a wrinkle there. We have to be ready for that.”

The Cougars remember those wrinkles from last year as Charleston erased a 14-0 lead with two minutes left in the first half and tied the game at halftime. 

“We have to make sure we are ready to work against their system and be ready for the little wrinkles as well,” King said.

Charleston is led by senior quarterback Curvio Curry (5’7”, 152 pounds) who wears No. 3 and also plays defensive back. Tailback is No. 34 Calwaun Street, senior (6’0”, 220).

Street is really good, according to King and also plays outside linebacker. Other players to watch include junior running back/middle linebacker Allen Spurlock (6’0”, 215), No. 2; defensive end/tightend Rashaun Weekly, No. 7 (6’2”, 205); and junior guards 50 and 51 Quenterius Brooks (5’5”, 210) and Javoris Buckley (5’9”, 175).

“They are all over the field,” King said. “Athletes are everywhere. Those kids really stand out in every game. In every instance, they have been the ones Coach (Scott) Martin can depend on to put in any position to make the big plays.”

Against the Cougars, King expects Charleston to use their athleticism to advantage.

“They like running to numbers, getting as many guys on one side, trying to outnumber the defense which is always smart,” King said. “As far as taking advantage, they got some kids who can go and get the football. The threat of the fade or the deep throw is always there, but they want to run, want to pound. They are fast and strong and they really want to break your will.”

The Cougars are not going to roll over for them, according to King.

“This year we are bigger, faster and stronger than we were last year,” he said. “Hopefully, we will be able to sustain what we had for about 20 minutes last year. Last two minutes of the second quarter, they undid us, but for 20 minutes we were playing with them. We just have to add the rest and make it 48.”