By Ike House
North Panola had tough game against the Tigers of Charleston on Friday night. They were faced with the task of beating a team that always shows supremacy in the division ending the last few years in first place. The Cougars fell short in a blowout loss by the final score of 41-7.
“We expected a fight and we wanted to slow the game down to where one play could make it or break it,” Head Coach Derek King said “And it broke it for us.”

From the beginning of the game it look to be a close game throughout but in a series of events they could not flip the momentum in their direction. On the kickoff the ball was fumbled by North Panola but it was eventually recovered by the Cougars. After negative runs by Conner and another fumble recovery the Cougars had to punt the ball.

On the punt the returner had a  return that put the ball on the 35. After two false start penalties the Tigers had a run that was followed by a big pass play for 33 yards that led to a touchdown. After failing the two point conversion the Tigers led 6-0.

After promising drives but both teams it seemed as no one could score but then late in the first the Cougars seemed to find their mojo and put together a big drive.

After completing three passes for 22 yards, the Cougars went back to their dandy dozen running back for yards but Charleston stuffed the box. North Panola went back to their passing game and big playmaker Ankeyvias Harris for another 12 yard gain.

On the next play KJ Jefferson found Trai Sanders for 37 yards and a touchdown.
Then North Panola did something that they had not did in years kick an extra point. After the successful PAT they led 7-6.

“It took a while for it be consistent,” King added “It has finally gotten to the point to where it is consistent.”

It did not take Charleston long to react and take back the lead. After getting the ball on the 38 they had two plays on the ground that equaled 34 yards but seemed to stall once again.
After a false start and a fumble that led to third and eight, they had a 28 yard run for a touchdown. With another failed two point conversion they led 12-7.

On the next Cougar series, the Tigers found a way to score after a fumble that led to a 45 yard fumble return. The Tigers got the two point conversion this time around and extended their lead to 20-7.

The Cougars could not find room to run and could not get receivers open or in space.
Then Charleston put together a long drive before the half. North Panola found ways to slow down the Tigers but could not stop the drive. The Tigers found their way into the end zone after scoring on an 18 yard run and two point conversion that led to a 28-7 score.
Coming out of the half  no one could move the ball after stalling on four straight drives.
Charleston turned it back on with a two play drive that ended with a 44 yard run that took the score to 34-7.

After a Cougar fumble Charleston took the ball back but could not do anything with it. Charleston would not let the game end without putting up one more score.

They ended the night on a 61 yard touchdown and took the score to the final of 41-7.
“We were fighting and the lead got big really fast,” King said.

North Panola only mustered up 286 yards of total offense and gave up 373 yards of offense. The Cougars were plagued with pregame injuries and late game injuries that hurt them going forward.

Leading the Cougars for the night was Jefferson even after going down with an injury. Jefferson went 5-11 with 73 yards and a touchdown. He also had three carries for 12 yards.

Conner lead the rushing for the night with 16 carries for 49 yards. Behind him was Lavonte Towns with nine carries with 41 yards. Sanders had two carries for 27 yards and a catch for 37 yards a touchdown. Ankeyvias Harris led the receiving corps with three catches for 36 yards. Kiron Covington had a catch for seven yards while Tim Marshall had a catch for four yards.

On defense leading the way were Covington and Harris both with seven tackles. Sylvonta Oliver had five tackles and a pass deflection. Towns had five tackles. Derrian Ferrell and Kevin Merrell both had three tackles. Kordariel Preston had two tackles and a tackle for a loss. Montreal Conner and Antwoyne Rhodes had two tackle each. Quan Lantern, Markell Wilbourn, Donyavious Banks and Justin Conner had one tackle a piece. Sanders had a tackle and a pass deflection.

“Our kids have to self talk themselves a little better and there’s a reason that they are out there on the field,” King added “There is something in all of them.”