Sports / Outdoors - 11/2/2004 - The Panolian

Sports / Outdoors – 11/2/2004

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, November 2, 2004

Panolian Sports Headlines: November 2, 2004

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2004 MHSAA Region 1-5A District Champs
*** South Panola Tigers ***

The South Panola Tiger team and coaching staff were highly excited about defeating Starkville and claiming the Region 1-5A District championship Friday night for the third straight year.

Tigers Outplay Tough Starkville Team for District Championship

South Panola quarterback Derek Pegues* just stepped right into the chest and over the Starkville defender in route to one of his three touchdowns Friday night.*
By Myra Bean Sports Editor psports@panolian.com Email newsletter signup Sign up for our daily email newsletter Get the latest news sent to your inbox STARKVILLE – The first of the sweat wiping has begun as the nationally ranked No. 13 South Panola Tigers claimed the 1-5A district championship after the "war" with the Starkville Yellowjackets Friday night, Oct. 29. And a war it was as Starkville on its first possession proceeded to march 45 yards down the field and put the opening points on the board. With 8:05 on the first quarter clock, Starkville led 7-0 after a 38 yard touchdown pass and the point after touchdown (PAT). In the process, the eyes of the Tigers opened wider as Starkville brought it all to the field. South Panola quarterback Derek Pegues broke down the game from the players’ points-of-view. "They [Starkville] were real tough. I knew they were going to be pretty good. That game was probably the best game we have had all season. It was probably the best we played all season. They forced us to play real hard," Pegues said. Pegues complimented the Starkville defense. "They were very good on defense. Offensively, their quarterback scrambled a lot and put them in a lot of good situations.We just played hard and stayed on top of them," Pegues said. On the first Tiger possession, Dandy Dozen, All-American quarterback Derek Pegues did what he does best: put the team on his shoulder and led them to the endzone. Pegues and tailback Germicheal Sanford moved the ball 71 yards in six plays. Sanford capped the drive with a 17-yard run with 5:38 left in the first quarter. With the PAT by Russ Belk, the Tigers tied the score 7-7. It was three and out for the Yellowjackets on their next possession as the Tiger pass defense disallowed pass after pass. After the punt, the high octane Tiger offense went back to work. This time, Pegues capped an eight play, 52-yard drive with a nine yard run with 32 seconds left in the first quarter. During the possession, holder Luke Kiihnl went out with a knee injury. Kerry Hoskins held for the PAT, which was blocked, but the Tigers had a 13-7 lead going into the second quarter. Starkville was able to convert on fourth down and one on its next possession, but ended up punting three plays later. The Tigers were able to put another score on the boards before the half on another run by Pegues. With 1:06 left in the half, Pegues capped an 11-play, 62-yard drive with an 11-yard run. The two-point conversion failed and the Tigers led 19-7 at the half. Just two plays into the third quarter, Tiger receiver Travis Sanford pulled down his sixth interception of the season with just 23 seconds gone. Belk attempted a 39-yard field goal but it was wide to the left with 7:15 left in the third quarter. Starkville took its next possession into the fourth quarter, with the Tigers leading 19-7. At the 9:33 mark, the Yellowjackets scored a 34-yard field goal to cut the Tiger score 19-10. The drive covered 67 yards in 18 plays and used up nearly 10 minutes. Pegues scored the last points of the evening on a two yard run with 4:37 left in the game. The Tigers took the ball 80 yards in 11 plays, in just over five minutes. With Belk’s PAT with Kiihnl returning to hold, the Tigers led 26-10. Towards the end of the game, Jeremy Williams pulled down an interception and was on line to return it for a touchdown. He outran his blockers and was caught short of the end zone at the three yard line for a 60 yard run. Backup quarterback Karreem Carr took a knee to end the game on the next play. The Tigers rushed for 271 yards on 47 carries and completed three of five passes for 29 yards. The Tigers’ total offense for the evening was 300 yards. Starkville was held to 96 rushing yards and completed five of 17 passes for 98 passing yards for a total of 194 yards. Pegues led the Tigers in this tough battle of wits and strength with 106 yards on 21 carries and three touchdowns. Sanford also rushed for over 100 yards with 102 on 17 carries, averaging six yards per carry, with one touchdown. Jeramie Griffin rushed for 56 yards on five carries, averaging 11.2 yards per carry. Darius Barksdale saw limited action with nine yards on two carries. Travis Sanford caught three passes for 29 yards. The Tigers still have one game left in the regular season. They will travel to West Point (8-2, 4-2) Friday to finish up and wait for the playoff season to begin. West Point defeated Southaven (3-7, 1-5) 22-6 Friday night. Kickoff is 7 p.m. In other 1-5A action Friday night, Olive Branch (9-1 overall, 5-1 district) defeated Columbus (4-6, 2-4) 42-0 to earn a playoff berth and second place in the district. They will host Tupelo (5-5, 3-3) Friday night. Tupelo defeated Horn Lake (2-7, 1-5) 41-20. Other games Friday to determine playoff lineups include Columbus at Starkville, Horn Lake at Southaven and Olive Branch at Tupelo. South Panola is set to meet the fourth place team in Regional 2-5A. As of Friday night’s games, Clinton and Grenada are tied for third with both having 4-2 district records. The third and fourth places between these two teams will be decided on the gridiron Friday when Clinton travels to Grenada. Directions to West Point High School: Take I-55 South to the Winona Exit. Take a left on Highway 82 East, take the bypass to Columbus before you get into Starkville and go around Starkville. Take the 45 Alternate North exit and keep going until you get into West Point. Cross the Railroad track. See the FastBreak store on the right. At FastBreak take a right onto Churchill Street and go through the first 4-way. At the second 4-way there is a bank on the left. The high school is right in front of you. Take a left and you will see the parking area. Attendants will direct the parking.
Fitzgerald Casino to host Brawl in the Fall Johnson/Skipper Bout Postponed ’til Later Date
Commentary by Ken Daughterty, NPHS Prize Fight and Fitzgerald Casino announce "Brawl in the Fall," an eight bout professional boxing card to be held Sat., Nov. 6. The feature Mid-South Light Heavyweight Championship between John Johnson and Bo Skipper has been postponed until a later date, according to Jamie Johnson, trainer for John Johnson. The main event of the evening will feature the world’s best pound-for-pound female fighter, Ann Wolfe (17-1, 12 KOs) of Austin, Texas. Wolfe is a four-time world champion and current IBA Light Heavyweight Champion. Top challenger Cassandra Geiger 6-3, (6 KOs) of Fayetteville, Ark., has earned her opportunity to fight Wolfe with her ferocious punching power as evidenced by all her wins coming by way of knockout. The undercard will consist of No. 1 world ranked contender Cristy Nickel 5-1 (4 KOs) of Southaven, as well as fellow female fighter Samantha Browning 3-0 (2 KOs) from Tupelo.
Deer Walker

Kim Walker of Batesville got her first deer with a rifle near Water Valley during Youth hunt, Oct. 24. She is the daughter of Keith and Marcie Walker. She said, "Thanks Aunt Janey for letting me borrow your rifle."

NP Ends Regular Season; Playoffs Friday

North Panola quarterback Perry Trammell* dropped back for a pass in the game against Lafayette County Thursday.*

The North Panola band performed its dance portion of the show for the Lafayette County crowd Thursday night. Director Warner Scott led the band to the field.
By Myra Bean Sports Editor psports@panolian.com OXFORD – There was not much competition as the Lafayette County Commodores (9-1, overall, 5-1 district) defeated North Panola (3-7, 3-3) 50-6 in both teams’ final game of the regular season last Thursday night. The muddy field was not the most ideal playing condition, but the teams battled anyway. The Commodores jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter which carried over into the second quarter. Some first quarter defensive action on the part of the Cougars included an interception by #3 with 4:14 on the clock. That possession ended in a Cougar punt. After that possession, Lafayette had a touchdown called back due to an illegal block in the back penalty at the 1:18 mark. In the second quarter, North Panola recovered a fumble at the 10:13 mark, but again the possession ended in a punt. Lafayette went up 22-0 and then 29-0 before the halftime buzzer. There were not many more high points for the Cougars in the game, as the Commodores seemed to come alive and kept piling on the points. The Cougars finally got on the boards on a two yard run by Larry Burdette with 8:51 left in the game. The extra point snap was fumbled so the score stood 43-6. Lafayette scored the final touchdown with 4:37 left in the game. Both teams made the playoffs. Lafayette will host Saltillo Friday night. North Panola will be on the road to Humphrey County High School Friday night. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Directions: Take I-55 South, exit at Grenada. Take a right onto Highway 8 and go to Greenwood. It will turn into Highway 7. Highway 7 goes into Belzoni where Humphrey County High School is located. When you get into Belzoni, you will see the Elementary School on your left. Take the left down beside the school and it will take you straight to the stadium. From Greenwood, the drive will take about 30 minutes.
Green Wave Makes Dream Season a Reality

North Delta’s Dustin Maples* (l) carried the ball for the Green Wave while trying to outrun the defense.*
By Myra Bean Sports Editor psports@panolian.com With a Division 1-AA district title already in the bag, the North Delta Green Wave came out looking for a bigger prize in its regular season finale. And in a big way, the Green Wave achieved an undefeated season for the first time ever in school history. They went 11-0 and broke a school record for a single season. The Green Wave made the trip to Marshall Academy on Friday night looking not only to remain undefeated, but to secure home field advantage in the first round of the MPSA AA playoffs. The Green Wave entered the field fired up and defeated district foe Marshall Academy Patriots 47-7 in the game of the regular season. The Green Wave team is the only team in the district that went undefeated 6-0. The Green Wave built a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The tone was set when Harrison Nickle caught a 67 yard pass form quarterback Forrest Wilbanks. Jonathan Shedd’s PAT was good with 7:51 left on the clock. A few minutes later, Cody Hallmark intercepted the Patriot’s ball and returned it 11 yards to the Patriot’s 19 yard line. The very next play, Dustin Maples turned the interception into a touchdown when he scored on a 19 yard run. Shedd’s PAT was good. The Patriots’ drive was stopped by the Green Wave defense and they had to punt the ball with 5:15 left on the clock. A few seconds later, quarterback Forrest Wilbanks ran 55 yards on a quarterback keeper to help set up Maples’ next one yard touchdown after he jumped over the middle in to the endzone with 3:45 left on the clock. The PAT was good. With 2:43 left in the first quarter, Clint Egbert intercepted the Patriot’s ball. The Green Wave took the ball and the 21-0 lead into the second quarter. With only a few seconds off of the clock, Maples drove the ball in from two yards out for another touchdown and the PAT was good. Green Wave head coach Rick Johnston started substituting players at this time of the game and gave everyone a chance to play. Harrison Nickle intercepted the Patriot’s ball with 8:34 on the clock. The Green Wave took over 1st and 10 with the ball on their own 29 yard line. Patrick Ellis, Wilbanks and Cody Hallmark drove the ball down the field. Coy took the ball one yard into the endzone for a touchdown with 5:32 on the clock. The Green Wave defense held the Patriots again and forced them to punt with 4:33 left. Adam Goodwin picked up 34 yards to start the drive. With 2:34 left, Goodwin scored on a 14 yard run and the PAT was good to give the Green wave a 41-0 lead. The Patriots got on the scoreboard with 1:56 left on the clock when Blake Work took the ball 14 yards for their first touchdown of the game. The PAT by Boyce Hollingsworth was good to cut the Green Wave lead 41-7 at halftime. The Green Wave started the third quarter with the ball. Harrison Nickle and Evan West drove the ball down the field. Nickle took the ball in from 27 yards out for the final score of the night. As the undefeated 2004 season became a reality, the coaches, players, cheerleaders and the fans joined in the excitement. There were several former graduates, teachers, and fans who witnessed the history making event. After congratulating the Patriots for their hard fought effort, the Green Wave team, coaches, cheerleaders, and fans knelt down for a prayer. Afterwards Rick Johnston told the team just how proud he was of them. "Congratulations, first time ever in school history," said Johnston. "We came over here and got the job done early. You know that we have three weeks of hard work ahead of us. I am so proud of you. It has never happened before and you should be proud of yourself!" The Green Wave finished the game with 503 yards on 59 carries. Wilbanks completed both pass attempts for 78 yards for a total offense of 581 with seven touchdowns. They had 30 first downs and three penalties for 30 yards.
Boys/Girls Club Basketball League Registers This Week
The Boys and Girls Club will hold signups for the fall basketball league. Registration will be held Wednesday, Nov. 3 from 4:30 until 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 6 from noon until 3 p.m. at the Batesville Intermediate gymnasium. The fee is $25 for non-club members and $15 for club members. Interested children ages 8 to 13-years-old may pick up form from the Boys and Girls Club, Batesville Middle School and the Batesville Jr. High School. For more information, contact Terry Townsend at 578-7309 or 563-7180 or Dennis Hoskins at 578-7309 or 563-4426.