By Myra Bean
In 25 years, North Panola and Water Valley have only met 10 times on the gridiron.
If the teams were not in the same district, they did not play each other unless they met in the playoffs. For example, in 2012, Water Valley was in 2-3A and North Panola 3-3A and they met in the first round of playoffs.

The record between these teams in the last 25 years is 9-1 in favor of Water Valley. The last time North Panola (6-2 overall, 2-0 district) defeated Water Valley (4-4, 1-1) was in 1989,  28-6, in Water Valley.

Tonight, the Cougars travel to Blue Devil territory for a district showdown with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Water Valley has played a strenuous schedule to date. Losses have come against regional leaders. Their first loss was to Coffeeville who is second in 1A statewide. Then a loss to Calhoun City followed. Calhoun City sits atop the region 2A state ranking.

They also lost to 4A Senatobia who is No. 13 in the state in 4A and then lost the district opener to Charleston who is ranked 11 in 3A behind North Panola who is ranked No. 9 in 3A.

North Panola has a mental barrier to overcome, according to Cougar head coach Derek King.
This will be King’s third straight meeting with Water Valley which other North Panola coaches have not had to face. In the 25-year history between the teams, this is the first time the teams have ever played each other three consecutive years.

“We haven’t beaten them since we have been here and I think that alone forces us to prepare as if they were 8-0,” King said.

Water Valley will field a team of experience, according to King.

“Those kids know how to get it right this time of year,” he said. “They do a lot of good things on offense and have some really good concepts on defense. We are going to have to make sure we can recognize those things and really run our stuff correctly.”

Senior quarterback Jonathan Kent (5’10, 160 pounds), number 7, is the field general for the Blue Devils. He was not always the starter but he did have some experience, King said.

Kent has completed 70 of 162 passing attempts for 988 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.

He is relieved by junior quarterback Kirkland Horton (no. 7). Horton is also a force to be reckoned with on defense as he had 13 tackles, caused a fumble and recovered a fumble in last week’s win over Holly Springs.

He has 72 tackles, two sacks and caused two fumbles and scored one touchdown on the season.

Senior tailback Brandon Bounds (5’10”, 175) wearing number 6, returned from last year.
Senior wide receiver L. J. Hawkins, No. 10, 5’11, 160 pounds, is really good, according to King.
“He has gotten a lot better,” King said. “He is catching everything, long, short, medium.”

Hawkins has 35 receptions for 508 yards and five touchdowns. He also has a rushing touchdown.

Also on the Water Valley defense is senior middle linebacker Dee McNeal (34), 6/1”, 210 pounds, who has 46 tackles on the season but is getting a sack every game but one for a season total of 8.5 sacks.

“On defense he is a force,” King said. ”He made some amazing plays on all the film we have seen. He is just getting penetration.”

The other team leader is senior wide receiver/cornerback Derrick Gooch (5’8”, 140 pounds), No. 1.

“(Gooch) is a skilled guy who they throw a lot of screens to, get him out in space,” King said. “He is dangerous if you don’t wrap him up.”

Gooch has 11 receptions for 238 yards and one touchdown on the season.

The next step for North Panola is to keep 11 people around the ball to have a chance at containing Water Valley tonight.

“Depth wise we are looking at a full complement for this week which is what you need going down into that place,” King said.