SP holds Tupelo to field goal in 3-0 loss

By Will Dickins
The South Panola football team traveled Friday to face the No. 2 Tupelo Golden Wave team in District 1-6A action.
In a defensive showcase, the Tigers (4-5 overall, 3-1 district) could not put together enough offense to overcome the Golden Wave (8-0, 4-0) as they fell 3-0.
South Panola’s defense only allowed Tupelo to get into field goal range three times, but made one count hitting a 48-yard field goal for the only score of the game.
South Panola reached Tupelo’s 29 twice but could not get any further as they turned it over on downs. Rushing yards were 155 Tigers to 48 Tupelo, but Tupelo used a 210 to 31 passing yard advantage to move the ball. Each team struggled offensively as the score shows.
The first quarter consisted of each team punting twice with each having two drives each.  Both teams looked evenly matched while choosing times to take their punches as if it were a heavyweight-boxing match.
Tupelo received the ball on the three after a South Panola drive stalled.
The Golden Wave drove to the Tiger 38 yard line before returning the favor in pinning the Tigers at their own three.
After a three and out, South Panola attempted to punt from their goal line but it was blocked. With Tupelo threatening to score a touchdown, South Panola had other plans.
Jordan Strong countered the block and jumped the route for an interception and returned it to the 40. The Tigers attempted to use the newfound momentum to find points, but would fall short at the Tupelo 29, a yard short of the first down.
Tupelo would then drive down to their 29 for a last second field goal before the half ended.
The kicker attempted a 46-yard field goal and had the distance but pulled it left to keep the game scoreless at half time.
South Panola received the ball to start the second half and produced a 12-play drive but could not get past the 48.
Tupelo had the ball on their own 15 and on the second play, the quarterback found a streaking receiver who had raced past his defender for a 50-yard pass, getting to the 35.
Three plays later it was fourth-and-6 Tupelo kicked a 48-yard field goal.
After missing one earlier from a similar route, the kicker adjusted and put it between the uprights for the big field goal to put Tupelo up for what turned out to be the only score of the game.
South Panola continued to struggle to move the ball and had one more chance with the clock running down.
The drive started at the 34. The Tigers started finding running room and used eight straight runs to get to the Tupelo 30.  Two throws later, the Tigers turned it over on downs for the final time.
Once again the Tigers fell in a close contest.  The defense once again stepped up allowing 258 total yards and three points.
Jaterrion Draper led the team in tackles with seven and was followed by James Johnson and Antonio Polk with six each. Strong had the interception and three passes defended.
Offensively, Jamian Johnson had 50 yards rushing on 18 attempts.  Patrick Shegog also added 56 yards rushing on eight attempts.
South Panola looks to rebound in Friday’s homecoming game  against Southaven at 7 p.m. The Tigers are now 4-5 on the season.