By Myra Bean

For the eighth straight year, the South Panola High School football team will make the trek to Jackson to play in the state championship.

The Tigers have the opportunity to claim the first-ever 6A championship in a new division developed this year for the state’s largest schools. South Panola has won five 5A championships (2003-07) in this decade. SPHS also won the state championship in 1993 and 1998.

In last year’s state championship game, Meridian defeated South Panola 26-20 in an overtime battle, ending the Tigers’ 89-game winning streak.

The Tigers will play the Oak Grove Warriors (11-2) Friday with a 7 p.m. kickoff at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The championships will be televised on Mississippi Public Television, Channel 18.

The state championships will begin Thursday night with the 1A championship game at 7 p.m. between Durant and Mount Olive.

The 2A game will be played Friday at 3 p.m. between Ackerman and Bassfield.

On Saturday, the 3A game begins at 11 a.m. between Aberdeen and Tylertown. At 3 p.m. the 4A clash between Lafayette County and St. Stanislaus kicks off.

A highly anticipated match in 5A will kick off at 7 p.m. Saturday between West Point and Wayne County.

Tickets are $10 and available at South Panola High Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. At the gate, tickets are $12.

As in the past, school will be dismissed on a Tuesday (early release) schedule on Friday in order for fans to have time to travel to the game, according to Superintendent Dr. Keith Shaffer.

South Panola will occupy the “visitors” side, the north side of the stadium, opposite the press box.

Dr. Ennis Proctor, director of the Mississippi High School Activities Association, has challenged teams to sell 3,000 tickets each, of which their school gets to keep half of the proceeds.

Video streaming of the game will be available on pay-per-view at psa360.com or at misshsaa.com.

Locally, WBLE FM 100.5 will broadcast the game live and through www.panola.com.

The Panolian staff is planning a special commemorative section for Friday’s edition. Sports editor Myra Bean will have an interview with SP coach Lance Pogue. The section will also include a “pull-out” banner, a feature story and rosters of both teams.

Advertisers should call 563-4591 to reserve a space.