By Ike House

North Panola High School started its season 4-0 by dominating Calhoun City Friday night. Even with some turnovers that could have taken them out of the game, the Cougars defeated the Wildcats 26-8.

“It wasn’t our best game, but we got things done,” said head coach Carl Diffee.

On their second drive they pushed the ball downfield behind the running of Carl Robinson after Cadarrius Pride took a big hit. He took it in from 10 yards out on a first and ten. They got the conversion and went up 8-0.

The defense stepped up even better and held the Wildcats to a punt. After getting the ball back with a short field, they turned the ball over on a fumble inside the 15 yard line.

The Cougars put the ball in the hands of junior running back Devonte Pratcher who accumulated 19 yards. Then Pride hooked up with Robinson from 23 yards out on a touchdown. The Cougars attempted a rare PAT but missed it which kept the score at 14-0.

In the  third quarter the Wildcats scored from four yards out. That put the score at 14-8 after the two point conversion was good.

“I hate we gave up that touchdown on the short drive coming out of halftime,” defensive line coach Terrance Pope said.

The Cougars responded in the third when Pride punched the ball in from the 10 yard line and put the score at 20-8. The  two-point attempt failed.

In the fourth the Cougars scored one more time, with Pride finding Mekin Walls from five yards out. They did not get the two point conversion and it led to the final score being 26-8.

“I got on the offensive line after the Charleston game,” Diffee said “I coached them hard this week and they responded.”

Pride finished the game 7-13 with 72 yards and two touchdowns. He also had four carries for 49 yards and a touchdown. Quardequarious Walls also went 1-2 for six yards.

Leading the rushing attack was Pratcher with 21 carries for 126 yards. Other rushers were Robison with four carries for 49 yards and a touchdown and Jamarcus Nelson for a carry and two yards.

Leading the receiver corps was Robinson with four catches for 46 yards and a touchdown. The other receiver was Walls with three catches for 34 yards and a touchdown.

Leading the defense was Xavier Glover with eight tackles and four tackles a loss. Other defenders was Q. Walls with right tackles and a deflection; Eric Williams had five tackles, two tackles for a loss and a deflection; Roderick Taylor had four tackles; Dakyian Edwards had three tackles and a tackle for a loss; Jamauri Milton had three tackles and a forced fumble; Alex Gross had two tackles and a tackle for loss; Kennedy Lyons had two tackles and two tackle for a loss; Steven Edwards had two tackles; Ronderrious Lamar, M. Walls and Kenndan Lyons all had one tackle each.

The Cougars will play Ruleville Central Saturday at 5 p.m. for Homecoming.