By Angie Ledbetter

South Panola’s head football coach Lance Pogue has been chosen to coach in the 2009 U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on January 3.

Pogue was notified in November about the opportunity to be an assistant coach and accepted the invitation.

Darius “Tig” Barksdale played in the game last year and Pogue went out there to the game just as a fan behind him.

Pogue got a call in November asking him to be an assistant coach.

“I thought about it and told them I would but we were right in the middle of the season then and I didn’t say much about it,” Pogue said.

There is one player from Mississippi on the roster, Kendrick Hardy, running back from Lawrence County.

“To me, it’s just more a credit to our coaches and players and all of the success that we’ve had,” Pogue said. “I want to go out there and represent the state and try to do a good job.

There will be the head coach and seven assistants.

South Panola has had four players to play in the games, Eddie Strong, Derek Pegues, Chris Strong and Barksdale.

Contrary to rumors spreading throughout Panola County and the state, Pogue has not resigned from his position as coach of the South Panola football team.

“We are 29-1 in two years with a state championship. If we are fortunate to go 29-1 over the next two years and win another championship, I will be thrilled,” Pogue said.