We almost take them for granted.

Every Friday night from late August to mid-December there continue these constants—South Panola football and winning.

It’s hard to imagine anything else but winning because the Tigers of South Panola continue to dominate other state football programs. Its teams are consistently ranked with the nation’s elite, now number one in the nation by at least one ranking bureau.

Although the results are the same, the make-up of the team differs each year. Sometimes exceptional players on the team make up for our weaker positions. Sometimes a good overall team makes up for not having so many exceptional players. This season it appeared that we had a good overall team made up of many exceptional players.

Next year will be a rebuilding year as many of the first stringers were seniors. So was last year—and we still won the state championship and were nationally ranked. Go figure.

South Panola’s secrets to success have been attributed to many aspects including: coaching, blood lines, extensive off-season training, feeder programs, community support and praying before games.

It’s probably a combination of all of the above that makes the program successful but through it all the community benefits.

Not only do young men get an opportunity to achieve a goal, many will go beyond high school and have an opportunity to have a two to four year college education paid for.

The program also brings the community together each week to sit down and pull for a common goal.

The program’s success goes well beyond the boundaries of the state of Mississippi and with additional out-of-state games scheduled, the program gives the school district, Batesville and Panola County recognition throughout the nation.

We owe players, coaches, administrators and supporters a whopping big truckload of gratitude for maintaining and improving a program that lets the world know about South Panola, Batesville and Panola County.