It was only fitting that a showdown between two of the top Class 6A football teams in the state would come down to the final play of the game.

That’s what happened Thursday night at Madison Central as the No.5 ranked South Panola Tigers slipped past No. 4 Madison Central 38-34 in a pivotal Region 2- 6A contest.

Madison Central’s Jimmy Holiday threw a 15-yard touchdown strike to Blake Gunter on the final play was negated by a holding penalty thus giving South Panola the victory.

Tiger quarterback Anterrio Draper threw for a season-high 256 yards and one touchdown as South Panola improved to 9-1 on the season.

Janari Dean returned after missing three weeks with a separated shoulder, and scored the game-winning touchdown with 2:03 remaining in the game.

Dean finished the night with 160 yards on 31 carries and three touchdowns.

South Panola led 31-17 at halftime before the Jaguars (8-2)  capitalized on two Tiger turnovers to tie the game at 31-31 at the end of the third quarter.

Madison Central grabbed a 34-31 lead with 9:54 remaining in the game on a 29-yard field goal that set up South Panola game-winning 18-play, 80 yard drive.

Cameron Wright caught three passes for 109 yards and a 54-yard scoring strike from Draper. Ricky Farmer also added three receptions for 30 yards.

Artie Bobo,Dean and Bo Williams contributed with one catch each.

Martez Clark followed Dean in the rushing column with 10 carries for 75 yards and one touchdown.

Jaqualin Gillespie collected 14 tackles to lead the South Panola defensive effort. Jordan Milton added five stops while Jamelvin Webb and Wes Morgan added a fumble recovery.

Morgan also booted a 27-yard field goal and was a perfect 5-of-5 on extra points.

South Panola rushed for 228 yards and out-gained the Jaguars 484 to 325 in total yardage.

South Panola visits Murrah next Friday in a 7 p.m kickoff.