SP Tigers running back Martez Clark hits a hole opened up by teammates Quin Hodges and Antonio Victom last week against Greenville. The Tigers travel to Madison Central today (Thursday) to take on the Jaguars. The game was moved up a day because of the threat of severe weather. (Andy Young)

Christoin Bobo got his second touchdown of the season for the South Panola Tigers on this 17-yard pass from Anterrio Draper in the Greenville game. (Andy Young)

 

When the MHSAA announced the new realignment for the 2019 football season last spring, one game that stood out for South Panola fans was a showdown with Madison Central.

The Tiger faithful wait is no longer as the powerhouse teams meet tonight in Madison for a crucial Region 2 6A battle beginning at 7 p.m

Both teams are 3-1 in district play and one game behind Starkville who downed Madison Central 24-21 last Friday after a last second Jaguar field goal was missed.

South Panola (8-1) enters the game No. 5 in the mississippigridiron.com Super 10 poll while Madison Central (7-1) is ranked No.4.

The Jaguars won the last meeting between the two schools 31-14 in the opening round of the 2017 North 6A playoffs. South Panola leads the all-time series 11-5.

Madison Central is led on the field by one of the electrifying duel-threat quarterbacks in the state in senior Jimmy Holiday.

The Texas Christian University commitment has 1,821 yards total yards to his credit which includes 1,021 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns.

Senior Javarius Jordan (62-347, 3 TD’s) and junior Duke Arnold (92-396, 4 TD’s) join Holiday in the backfield.

Sophomore tight end Blake Gunter (6’3”, 220) leads the Jaguar receiving corps 14 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns.

Ben Davis (10 catches,147 yards) and Logan Reed (9-165) are other receiving threats.

Madison Central is led on defense by the trio linebacking corp of leading tackler Nick Carter (6’1”, 192), Joesph Perryman (6’1”, 204) and Hayes Bufkin (6’1”, 195).

The South Panola defense will be up to the task of slowing down the Jaguars with leading tackler Jaqualin Gillespie (77 tackles, 3 INTs) along with defensive backs Wes Morgan, (5 INTs,11 passes-broken-up), Caleb Grayer and Marquavious Harris who are tied with 15 passes-broken-up each.