By Angie Ledbetter
After the home season opener victory for the 6A defending state champions South Panola Tigers Head Coach Lance Pogue told the #3 team in the Clarion-Ledger’s Super 10 poll after the game that the biggest improvement is always between the first and second game.

The Tigers won 42-27 over Memphis White Station Friday night but not without some struggles and they have just a few days to correct their mistakes before a tougher team walks in to Robert H. Dunlap Stadium.

Mild temperatures the previous week, August was back in full force as the Tigers battled hot temperatures, humidity and their own mistakes on ESPN3 for over three hours.

It was junior Darrell Henderson who set the tone early in the game when Gustavo Carvalo punted and Henderson returned it for an 84 yard touchdown for the Tiger’s first possession of the night.

Newcomer senior Matthew Williams put the PAT over to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 10:18 on the clock.

On the Spartan’s next possession they drove the ball down the field, fumbled and Ephraim Kitchens recovered it in the endzone to put the Tigers up 14-0 after Williams’ PAT was good.
The Tigers scored their first offensive touchdown when sophomore running back Oluwain Hoskins took the ball from four yards out and Williams added the PAT with 5:35 left in the first quarter.

With over two minutes left on the clock the Spartans scored when Cedrick Wilson connected with Carvalo on a 14-yard pass and Carvalo added his PAT.

Kitchens stepped up again and intercepted the Spartan pass returning it 40 yards for a touchdown with 7:30 left in the second quarter. Williams added the PAT.

With three seconds left in the first half the Spartans were threatening to score. They had 3rd and 1 on the Tiger’s one and fumbled the ball. Junior offensive lineman Jarien Barksdale battled for the ball and took it over the line. Williams’ PAT gave the Tigers a 35-7 lead going into the half.
The second half for the Tigers didn’t go their way. The only scoring in the third was Memphis. Wilson threw connected with Terry Wright for a 43 yard touchdown but the PAT attempt was blocked.

Going into the last quarter the Tigers had a 35-13 lead but the Spartans scored with a few seconds off the clock when Wilson scored on a five yard keeper. After two game delay penalties they went for the two point conversion but the Tigers stopped them.

On the Tiger’s next possession it was another bad snap and Memphis recovered the ball on the Tiger’s 23. They were facing a 4th and 5 on the Tiger’s 18 and went for it. Sophomore Turner Rotenberry stepped up for a huge play when he broke up the pass and the Tiger’s took over the ball.

Junior Reginald Morris caught a 39 yard pass from Rip Kirk and the Tigers took a 42-19 lead after Williams went perfect for the night on PATs.

The last scoring came after the Spartans intercepted the Tiger’s pass with 5:57 left in the game. Eldridge Thompson caught a 13 yard pass from Wilson and the two point conversion was good by Grant Lewis.

The Spartans won the battle in almost every phase on stats. They controlled the game for 25:44 and the Tigers 22:16. Memphis White Station had 17 first downs to the Tiger’s 11. Total yards for the Spartans were 350 and 219 for the Tigers. Each team lost one fumble but the Spartans had two where the Tigers had three.

The Tigers returned four interceptions for 1-6 yards and the Spartans had one for 18 yards. The Tigers punted five times for 145 yards and the Spartans four times for 143 yards.

Memphis White Station converted 29% on third downs and 20% on fourth. South Panola converted 17% on third downs and 50% on fourth.

Leading the Tigers in rushing was Hoskins with 11 carries for 52 yards. Roosevelt Jones had 11 carries for 52 yards. Kirk had six carries for 43 yards. Morris had two receptions for 65 yards. Antavion Reed had three for 50 yards.

Kirk was 7 of 17 for 120 yards with one touchdown. He punted five times for 145 yards.

Brady Smith had one interception return for 28 yards and Henderson had two for 40 yards.
Leading in tackles was Kitchens with six, two interceptions, three pass deflections and one fumble recovery. Stephen Sanford has six also. Smith had four tackles, one interception and three pass deflections. Quandez Lee and Turner Rotenberry had four tackles each and Rotenberry had four pass deflections. Ryan Lee had and Gabriel Lloyd had three each .Lloyd also had three pass deflections. Dashawn Lindsay had two tackles and two pass deflections. Henderson had one interception and two pass deflections.

Pogue said he saw a lot of good things but a lot of things they have to improve on.

“Sometimes the good things get overshadowed by some of the negative things. There were a lot of good things that happened tonight but a lot of things kind of turned ugly that we’re not typical doing. But we found a way win and not let that totally bog us down. We’ve got to keep working and get better.”

The Tiger’s offense struggled but managed to get in sync to score two touchdowns.

“We had some injuries on the offensive line, we’ve got a brand new center and he made some mistakes and we had some drop balls. We know that but have to keep working to get better.”  
Pogue said he thinks it’s going to be good for the team to get right back on the field in two days.
“I think they’ll be ready after a couple days of good practices.”

“Kitchens had a great night,” said Pogue. “He had two interceptions and one for a touchdown. We moved him to safety from corner and the sky is the limit for him. He’s a great player.”
Kitchens referenced to his interceptions.

“I’m blessed for them but still think I could’ve had a better game. I’m thankful that the defensive line helped me with that rushing the quarterback. I already knew the routes from running them in practice. We didn’t watch any film but went on what they did in their jamboree.”

“We’ve got a lot to work on in every phase of the game but I’m thankful we got the win and without any injuries.”

On a brighter note junior wide receiver Garner Barbee was on the sideline cheering his teammates on. Barbee was in a car accident two weeks ago and will be out for the season but will continue to cheer his team on. Wearing a neck brace he said he felt ok.