By Myra Bean

With a 28-6 loss to Center Hill, the North Panola Cougars saw their chances of postseason play come to an end. Turnovers marked the Cougars’ game from beginning to end. North Panola’s first play from the opening possession ended in a fumble and touchdown by Center Hill.

At the half, the Cougars were down 28-6. The defense did hold Center Hill scoreless throughout the second quarter, but the Mustangs had done their damage in the first half just maintaining in the second half.

The Cougars’ lone score came on a 70-yard interception return by Ricky Hunt with 8:20 left to go in the third quarter. The PAT by Hunt failed.

Again the weather and field conditions remain factors in another game this season. The field which had been drying throughout the week, returned to it’s muddy self of the past five weeks after rains returned Thursday and Friday. Drizzle fell throughout the first half of the game.

In the third quarter, North Panola never entered Mustang territory except for the interception return. They turned the ball over twice on fumbles.

The Cougars had a couple of bright spots in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Quin Ellis found Hunt on passes of 22 and 12 yards. They only had one possession in the fourth quarter and got to the Mustang 16 but turned it over on downs.

North Panola had 140 total yards. They were held to 14 rushing yards. All of Center Hill’s 249 yards came from passing.

North Panola’s Ellis completed eight of 17 passes for 126 yards. Martavious Butler did not complete any of his five passes.

The Cougars threw three interceptions and fumbled two times.

Hunt had five receptions for 75 yards. Vernon Lewis had three receptions for 43 yards and had 16 yards on eight carries.

The Cougars will end the season at district opponent Byhalia (5-5 overall, 1-5 district) Friday night. Kickoff is 7 p.m.