South Panola junior quarterback David Renfroe passed for three of four touchdowns as the Tigers had to play catchup all night long to take a 28-21 win from Tupelo Friday night.

Renfroe connected with senior wide receiver Xavier “X” Lee for passes of 14 and 18 yards, respectively. Then in one of the trick plays the Tigers use, they activated 6’5” Jemarcus “Yoshi” Hardrick as  an eligible receiver. Renfroe connected with him on a 24-yard touchdown pass.

In another seldom used play, David “DC” Conner performed a fake punt maneuver, taking the snap, tricking the Tupelo defense, and sprinting for 43 yards and a touchdown.

This win will set up a third-straight north half battle between South Panola and Olive Branch Friday night on Tiger Field in Robert H. Dunlap Stadium at 7 p.m.

Olive Branch had its own battle to fight with a determined Starkville team. Olive Branch led 7-0 at halftime. Starkville tied it up in the third quarter. At the end of regulation, the score was tied 7-7. In overtime, both teams scored a touchdown, but Starkville’s extra point kick was blocked and Olive Branch won 14-13.

In South 5A, George County defeated Oak Grove 34-28 and Meridian slaughtered Ocean Springs 50-14. George County will play at Meridian Friday night for the south half championship.