By Angie Ledbetter

After going the equivalent of two games (eight quarters) without an offensive score, the Tigers jumpstarted the offense for a 21-3 comeback district opening win over the Horn Lake Eagles Friday night.

The Tigers’ (3-2 overall, 1-0 district) last touchdown was in the second quarter of the game against Memphis University School September 2. Except for two safeties against Gulfport September 10, the Tigers’ score bucket was empty.

This was the Tigers’ first game after an open date last week, following a disappointed 13-4 loss to Gulfport.

Horn Lake (4-1 overall, 0-1 district) converted a 21-yard field goal in the first quarter for a 3-0 lead which held through halftime.

The Eagles had stirred up the Tigers’ den and the Tigers came roaring back with a vengeance in the third quarter.

South Panola turned its first possession over on downs and the defense stopped a field goal attempt by Horn Lake.

The Tigers fumbled away the next possession and forced Horn Lake to punt but the ball was downed on the Tiger three yard line.

Deep in their own territory, South Panola lost a couple of yards on first down.

On second down and 12 from the two yard line, junior quarterback Tevis Flowers connected with junior wide receiver DeAndrea Harris for a 98-yard touchdown. Clayton Sibley kicked the PAT giving the Tigers a 7-3 lead with 4:18 left on the clock.

The Tigers had the ball going into the fourth quarter and with 11:52 left in the game, junior athlete Tony Conner scored on a two-yard run. The PAT by Sibley put the Tigers up 14-3.

Icing the cake for the Tigers was a pick-6, a 21-yard interception return for a touchdown by defensive lineman Isaac Gross, with 11:37 left in the game.

A penalty negated Sibley’s first PAT try but the second try from eight yards out was good for the 21-3 score.

Gross said his running back skills helped him with his touchdown.

“When I came off they had cut me but with good hands and balance I propped myself on the ground and jumped right back up,” he said. “When I jumped up, it was in my face and I just caught it. I had felt everyone run past me so I kept running. I was a running back in the eighth grade so those skills just came out.”

When Gross got to the end zone he looked back with an exciting face.

“I looked at the crowd because I knew we still had true fans that showed up for the game. I appreciate all of them and for pulling for us.”

Tiger head coach Lance Pogue bragged on Gross.

“He’s a great football player but beyond that he’s a great kid and leader,” Pogue said. “I was proud for him and he deserved to play like that. He’s made so many plays for us in three years so he deserved an opportunity to score a touchdown and he got it on a screen. We talk about that all of the time. I’m just glad he didn’t let that little running back tackle him in the end zone.”

Pogue said he was proud of his players and coaches for getting their first district win.

“Obviously, we haven’t had the start of the season we would’ve liked and the same thing happened in the first half tonight. But we didn’t let it faze us. We came out in the second half and made plays, finally got our offense rolling. The 98-yard pass from Flowers to Harris was a big play. Ron Taylor made a big catch in the corner. Then our backs got our running game going.”

It was not a pretty win, but Pogue said they can build on it.

“We’re 1-0 in the division and got a big game next week.

The teams were almost equal in total offensive yards. South Panola had 273 and Horn Lake 275.

Conner led the Tigers with 86 yards on 24 carries with one touchdown. Flowers was two of four for 102 yards passing with one touchdown. Harris had one reception for 98 yards with one touchdown. Taylor had three receptions for 43 yards.

 

Logan Roberson punted seven times for 238 yards with 44 being his longest and averaging 34 yards. Dashawn Lindsay had two kickoff returns for 38 yards and Gross had one interception return for 21 yards.

On defense, Nick Johnson led the Tigers with 11 tackles. Je’Tavious Turner followed with eight and three pass deflections. Gross had six tackles, one pass deflection and one interception. Carlos Hooks had five tackles and four pass deflections. Lindsay had five tackles and three pass deflections.

Other defensive players include Lakedrick Flowers, four tackles, one pass deflection; Kendall Carr and Temario Strong, three tackles each;  Ladarius Strong, two tackles, two pass deflections; and getting one tackle each were Stephen Sanford, Adam Cummings, Javarius Taylor, David Griffin and Victor Ellis.

The Tigers, No. 10 state-ranked, will host No. 2 ranked Olive Branch in a district showdown. School officials are asking fans to wear white to “white out the stadium” in this big rivalry game.

Tickets for the game will be on sale at the high school Thursday and Friday during school hours.

The ticket booth will open 6:15 p.m. Friday night.