Coach Woods pleased with offensive line early

By Brad Greer

With nearly a dozen college scouts on hand, the South Panola Tigers wrapped up spring football with an abbreviated scrimmage against Grenada High School Wednesday at Robert H. Dunlap Stadium.

The scrimmage lasted about one hour after lightening was detected in the area.

Most of the scouts in attendance got a glimpse at Tiger senior-to-be running back Janari Dean who will is on everyone’s college wish in the fall.

The 6’1”, 190-pound Dean, who already holds offers from South Carolina, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Indiana, Arkansas, Lousiana Tech and Alabama, scored two touchdowns on runs of 35 and 24 yards with another erased on a penalty.

In all, the Tigers found the end zone six times as junior quarterback Anterrio Draper tossed three touchdowns – the first coming on a 40-yard strike to Cameron Wright on the first play.

Jordan Milton and Ricky Farmer were also on the receiving end of scoring strikes from Draper.

Martez Clark added a touchdown run while John Blockmon and Bowen Williams hauled in receptions.

“Spring training is really nothing more than an evaluation of our players to see who will be able to help us in the fall. I was pleased with the way Anterrio threw the ball today and even though I haven’t watched the film, our offensive line did a good job and gave us some protection up front,” said South Panola head coach Ricky Woods. “We only turned the over one or two times so that was a good thing.”

Before bad weather moved in, fans from both schools made a big crowd on the visitor’s side of the field. The home side is still close while the school finishes up the building project that will give SP the only indoor practice facility in the state. A new and modern dressing room and field house is almost complete also.

Along with the college scouts on hand, many former South Panola players were on the sidelines. Spotted were recent NFL draftee Darrell Henderson, Delta State quarterback Patrick Shegog, Memphis defensive lineman O’Bryan Goodson, Mississippi College players Cole and Turner Rotenberry, Southern Mississippi’s Eriq Kitchens, and Northwest CC lineman Jamual Lofton.

The Tigers, who will be moving into Region 2-6A this fall, will host Lafayette County in a jamboree Aug.16 before opening the season the following week at Tupelo High School.

Cutline:  Tiger WR Ricky Farmer getting ready for a play to began (Johnathan Williams)