In the ninth grade game Tuesday, Jalen Ausborn breaks from the group to run a few yards for South Panola.

The Panolian photo by Glennie Pou

By Brad Greer

South Panola’s ninth-grade and junior varsity football teams ended their season on a positive note with a pair of wins Tuesday over Horn Lake.

A late goal line stand by the Tiger ninth grade preserved a 14-8 victory over the Eagles while the JV squad pitched a 26-0 shutout in the nightcap.

SP (9th) 14, Horn Lake 8

Facing a 3rd-and-goal from the one-yard line, the Tiger defense stood tall by keeping Horn Lake out of the end zone for a potential game-winning touchdown as two passes fell to the turf thus turning the ball over on downs with 2:05 remaining.

South Panola (5-1) took the lead with 7:13 left in the fourth. Coming out of a timeout and facing a 4th-and-12 at the Horn Lake 18, quarterback Jalen Ausborn hit a wide-open Jalen Kirby on an 18-yard scoring strike. The Tigers failed to convert the two-point conversion that left the score 14-8.

Horn Lake scored its only touchdown on a 70-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. South Panola tied the game at 8-8 left in the second quarter as Seandun Clark caught a short pass from Ausborn and took it to the house 66 yards for the score. Tiara Wadlington ran in the two point conversion for an 8-8 tie at intermission.

Wadlington paced South Panola in rushing with 19 carries for 72 yards. Kirby followed with 33 yards on seven carries to go along with three tackles and a quarterback sack. Ausborn added 13 yards on three carries for 93 yards. Ethan Johnson caught one pass for nine yards.

Antione Wright had three tackles for the South Panola defense while Trenderous Sanford recovered a fumble.

SPJV 26, Horn Lake 0

Nate Harris rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tiger Junior Varsity squad. Harris’ scoring runs came on a one-yard run with 7:48 left in the first half that put South Panola on the board at 6-0. Harris later added a 33-yard scamper in the second half to increase the margin to 20-0. Martez Clark got into the mix with a 28-yard run around the right end on the opening series of the second half.

Tyler Baker tacked on the final score with a 47-yard interception return. Quarterback Bo Williams rushed four times for 51 yards and 3-for-6 for 33 yards. Tyrus Bradford contributed with 14 yards on three carries.