By Angie Ledbetter
What’s been one of the biggest battles in the past between South Panola and Olive Branch in the Great American Rivalry Series didn’t turn out the same as the Tigers cruised past the Conquistadors 46-7 Friday night to remain undefeated in 6A Region 1.

South Panola improves to 6-0, 2-0 in division play and Olive Branch fell to 3-3 and 0-2 in the division.  
On a very windy night and probably the smallest crowd ever between both teams fans, the Tigers mixed up their attacks on the Conquistadors with running and going to the air for a total of 397 yards on 62 plays.  They had 234 yards rushing with Darrell Henderson leading with 120 yards on 21 carries with two touchdowns. Oluwain Hoskins had 12 carries for 40 yards with one touchdown. Tyler Pogue had four carries for one touchdown

In the air Pogue was 8 of 18 for 163 yards with two touchdowns with his longest being 55 yards. Cole Rotenberry had five receptions for 129 yards with one touchdown. Demetrius Market had one reception for a 19 yard touchdown.

The defense held Olive Branch to 84 yards rushing and 63 yards passing for a total of 147 yards on 60 plays. Leading the way was D.J. Hall and Anfernee Benson. Hall with six tackles and one quarterback sack for a five yard loss. Benson had six tackles also. Desmond Lester had five tackles and one sack for a nine yard loss.

Ephraim Kitchen had five tackles and four pass deflections. O’Bryan Goodson had four tackles. Turner Rotenberry had two tackles, two interceptions and two pass deflections. John Ellis had one tackle, one interception and two pass deflections.

South Panola won the toss and deferred to the second half. Olive Branch attempted a 32 yard field goal with 9:23 left in the first quarter. Going 64 yards down the field on seven plays the Tigers scored when Pogue connected with Market on a 19 yard pass still in the first quarter. The extra point kick was good by Steven Collins.

John Ellis intercepted the ball for the Tigers on their own 10 yard line ending the first quarter. Taking the ball 90 yards on nine plays, Pogue then scored on a nine-yard keeper in the second quarter. The Tigers took a 14-0 led after the PAT by Collins was good. 

The only score of the game by the Conquistadors was in the second quarter. Donovan Watkins scored from 11 yards out. The PAT by Zach Baddour was good.

Soon after Hoskins made his way to the end zone from two yards out and but the PAT was no good giving the Tigers a 20-7 lead.

Henderson scored one of his two touchdowns when he took the ball in from two yards. Pogue hit Brycen Robinson for the two-point conversion giving the Tigers a 28-7 lead.

With 2:03 left in the first half, Olive Branch had a bad snap on a punt and Baddour kicked the ball out of the end zone giving the Tigers a safety.

Henderson then scored on a six-yard run with 30 seconds left in the first half and the PAT by Collins was good. South Panola took a 37-7 lead in the locker room.

It did not take the Tigers long to score in the third quarter. Cole Rotenberry capped a three-play, 80-yard drive, on a 55-yard pass from Pogue. The PAT was good for the 43-7 lead.

Turner Rotenberry intercepted his second Olive Branch pass on the Olive Branch 32 with 1:33 left in the third quarter. That set up a 23-yard field goal by Collins for the 46-7 lead going into the fourth quarter.
South Panola saw younger players entering the game to get experience. With 1:05 left in the game Olive Branch was threatening to score. Turner Rotenberry intercepted the ball in the endzone and returned it 95 yards. The clock ran out before the Tigers scored.

On special teams Kitchen had one punt return for 12 yards and Henderson had for nine yards. Kitchen also had two kickoff returns for 84 yards. Turner Rotenberry had two interception returns for 123 yards.
Rotenberry said, “Coach told me they were going to pass the ball. They came out passing and I just made good plays on it. On the second interception I just kept fighting and my teammates gave me good blocks. There for a second I thought I was going to make it to the endzone.”

Tyler Pogue said, “We came out sluggish and had a lot of busts on the offense but I’m not really sure why because we had really good practices coming into this game. The offensive line had a heck of a game.”
Pogue talked about winning the MVP trophy. “I wouldn’t have won it without my team. I’m proud of them for helping me to get to the level to win. I was surprised but I wasn’t worried about who won MVP. I’m just glad we got the win.”

“We played good tonight and it was a big win for us,” said Head Coach Lance Pogue. “It gives us a chance to go 2-0 in the division.”

Pogue commented on Tyler winning the MVP award.

“He made some nice plays but has some things to keep working on. Tyler is getting better and has gained experience. He’s doing what we thought he could with running and throwing the ball.”

“The defense gave up one score and I was disappointed in that but we got that fixed. They played hard and there were some big licks out there tonight. Turner Rotenberry had a big play night. I’m proud of his performance because he works hard every day. Both he and Cole played so hard. They have big hearts and want to win.”

One big improvement seen by the Tigers was penalties. They had only two for 25 yards.

Pogue said, “We’re working to improve in every area and that’s a positive step.”