By Myra Bean

Though it seems like it just got started, teams are more than halfway through the regular football season.

Most teams are in district play and those with a chance are looking towards the playoff season.

Like North Panola, many know they are in must-win situations in order to make that a reality.

North Panola lost its first two district games and must win the final four to be playoff eligible.

Tonight, the Cougars (2-4 overall, 0-2 district) will face the Rosa Fort Lions (5-2 overall, 2-1 district). Rosa Fort has started out strong in the district downing Lewisburg 34-7 on September 18 and Byhalia last week in a come-from-behind victory, 28-16.

The lone setback was a two-point loss to Center Hill September 25, 20-18.

Rosa Fort brings some emotional ties to the game. North Panola head coach Clifton Davis Jr. head coached the Rosa Fort team before he returned to North Panola.

In fact he coached some of the Lions players who will be playing tonight.  They include the featured running back Darius Guy, linemen Adam Williams and Donald Hawkins.

Rosa Fort is directed by junior quarterback Bernardrick McKinney, 6’4’, 205-pounds.

“We have to keep him in the pocket,” Davis said.

He said Rosa Fort is a very good team that will stress the run. The defense will come with 4-3 and 3-5 schemes to try and keep them off balance.

To Davis they have gotten two of the toughest teams in the district out of their hair in Senatobia and Lafayette County who played last night. He stated that the Cougars missed some assignments against Lafayette last week.

The Cougars lost to Lafayette 54-6. Running back Vernon Lewis went out after the first play on a left ankle injury sustained the week before. Defensive back/tailback Darius Loveberry went out with a knee injury toward the end of the game.

Both players have been in therapy this week and are expected to play tonight, according to Davis.

Kickoff is 7 p.m. On Cougar field.