Tigers to take on Southaven Chargers

By Myra Bean

As Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson sent out a letter to all fans to support the team this Saturday, South Panola head coach Lance Pogue has put a call to Tiger fans to have  a good showing tonight at Southaven.

“We want to encourage all fans to come out tonight to support the team in this big divisional game,” Pogue said Thursday morning. “Let’s take the short drive and have a big crowd.”

South Panola and Southaven will clash in a 1-5A matchup in Charger territory tonight at 7 p.m.

The No. 3 Sports Illustrated South Panola Tigers continues its history making march of 68 wins with an 8-0 overall, 4-0 district record with a 22-9 win over Tupelo last Friday night.

Southaven won its first four games of the season and went into the district season 4-0, but has not won a district game and have a 4-4, 0-4 overall record.

They lost last week to Starkville 48-20.

The teams have had a wet week of practice with the continuous rains which are supposed to be gone for the games tonight.

Pogue said despite the rains the team has had a good week of practice and the team is “pretty healthy.”

Southaven quarterback Joel Rich is the son of two year coach Ed rich.

“He is a tall, big guy who can really throw,” Pogue said. “They have a solid team. They will play their best against us.”

Joel Rich’s favorite wide receiver targets are Steven Barksdale, Jack Lartigue, Devin Morton and Jeremy Reed. Rushing for the Chargers are Calvin Malone, Tyler Brant, Jarrious Farley.

Terron Freeman and Gaquon Whitfield have returned interceptions for touchdowns from 72  and 70 yards out, respectively.

Pogue said his main concern is as always getting the Tiger team as focused and prepared as he can.

“I want them to play their best football and get ready for the playoffs,” Pogue said.

The Tigers are coming off three of its toughest games of the season with district foe Olive Branch, Columbus and Tupelo.

In most of the early games, the backup players have gained some playing experience. Substitutions have been slow in the past three games.

The Tigers have 2,881 total offensive yards this season, scoring 253 points and allowing 76.

South Panola has racked up 2,277 rushing yards and 604 passing yards.

Senior tailback Darius “Tig” Barksdale leads the Tigers in rushing with 1,186 yards and 15 touchdowns. Barksdale has three catches for 179 yards. He has thrown two halfback passes for 53 yards and one touchdown.

Also carrying the ball for the Tigers are Nick Parker, 643 yards, four touchdowns; and Justin Market, 294 yards and five touchdowns.

Quarterback for the Tigers is junior David Renfroe who has completed 32 of 61 passes this season for 542 yards and six touchdowns. Renfroe is also the punter and the extra point/field goal kicker.

He has completed both field goals he attempted and made 30 of 32 extra points.

Clarksdale is the only team the Tigers have shutout 42-0, but they were close with Olive Branch 17-3.

Warren Central has scored the most points on the Tigers with 18, followed by Columbus with 14.

Though Southaven has moved to a new high school, the game will be played on the same field.

Directions: Take I-55 North toward Memphis. Take the Church Road Exit. Take left onto Church Road. Take Highway 51 North, go across Goodman Road and Stateline Road. Come to Rasco Road and take a right. Follow the road about one mile to old high school. Stadium is on right behind the school.