SP Tigers silence potent Columbus offense 6-0 in Region 1-6A shutout

By Brad Greer
In years past there have been countless number of talented South Panola defenses. However in terms of  “sure will and determination,“ the 2016 unit can be counted into the conversation.
Clinging to a 6-0 lead with less than two minutes remaining in the game,  Tiger defensive end Kalvin Hankins  dropped Columbus star running back Kylin Hill for a two-yard loss on fourth -and- goal from the four to preserve a South Panola crucial Region 1-6A victory Friday night in Columbus.
With the win South Panola (6-5 overall, 5-1 district) wrapped up a runner-up spot in district play and will host a first round playoff game November 11.
The only score of the night came as South Panola received the opening kickoff and kept the ball the entire first quarter before quarterback Patrick Shegog crashed in from two yards out on the first play of the second quarter as the point after attempt was missed.
Shegog was a perfect four of four passing on the drive that covered 80 yards on 21 plays that chewed up 12:05 off the clock. The Tigers converted two third down plays to keep the series alive as Shegog hit Kanoda Lewis for an eight-yard gain to the Columbus 45 before connecting with John Railey for  16 yards on a third and 12 call.
“Our game plan was to keep their offense off the field and control the clock. They were averaging 45 points a game in district play so we knew what  they were capable of. We have had nine or 10 minute play drives before which is good but to keep the ball the whole first quarter is amazing,” said South Panola head coach Lance Pogue.
The rest of the game turned into a defensive battle as neither team gave an inch over the next 36 minutes. Columbus drove the ball seven times into South Panola territory only to come away empty handed by a rock solid Tiger defense.
Columbus looked to have taken a lead in the third quarter on Hill’s 37-yard touchdown run, but it was negated by a holding penalty.  The drive ultimately ended in a missed 47-yard field goal. Later in the quarter, O’Bryan Goodson sacked Falcon quarterback C. J. Gholar for a six-yard loss to knock them out of field goal range.
Later in the fourth quarter, the Falcons looked to be in prime position to take the lead after a blocked punt gave them the ball at the South Panola 33 only to have the Tiger defense stiffen again as Eriq Kitchen stopped Hill for a five yard loss on second-and-goal from the ten. Columbus had to settle for a 37-yard field goal that missed badly with 3:18 left in the game.
“There is nothing I can say about our defensive performance tonight – our guys never gave an inch and Columbus did not either. We were short a linebacker tonight who did not make the trip due to an illness, but we had the other guys that stepped up and made some huge plays at critical times. We held a Dandy Dozen running back (Hill) to 80 yards and 25 of that came on one play in the second quarter. It was just an outstanding effort on the part of our guys up front,” said Pogue.
Statistical wise Columbus out-gained South Panola 174-168 but was held to 96 yards on 30 carries and 78 yards passing.
South Panola meanwhile rushed for 124 yards on 39 attempts with Shegog passing for 44 yards. The Tigers held the ball for 29:02 compared to 18:58 for Columbus.  Montray Blackburn punted four times for 34 yards with two downed inside the 20-yard line.
Jamian Johnson led the Tiger rushing attack with 16 carries for 90 yards. JaMichael Robinson followed with 10 carries for 21 yards. Markel Gleaton supplied three carries for 13 yards while Quin Bradford added four yards on three totes. Derrick Cunningham chipped in with two carries for seven yards.
Railey garnered three catches for 27 yards while Jordan Strong contributed with two receptions for nine yards.
Kitchen led the South Panola defense with six tackles with Hall adding five stops and two passes-broken-up. Goodson, Hankins and A. J. Polk garnered four stops each.