By Myra Bean
In a cross-county gridiron battle, Batesville Jr. High went on the road to defeat North Panola Jr. High 30-12 Tuesday night.

North Panola Jr. High celebrated its homecoming announcing Larickierra Goings as homecoming queen. Named Mr. and Miss North Panola Jr. High are Destiny Askew and Justin Conner.

Batesville took the early lead in the first quarter on a 13-yard run by Derrick Sanford with 3:17 left. The two-point conversion by quarterback Donald Twilley put the lead at eight points.

North Panola answered on a 78-yard scamper by Justin Conner with 44 seconds left in the quarter. The two-point conversion failed.

Conner was injured on the run and played limited time the rest of the game.

Just inside the second quarter, Batesville’s Oluwain Hoskins broke through the line and ran 68 yards for a touchdown with 6:46 left in the half. The two-point pass from Twilley to Braiden Scott was good for the 16-6 lead.

North Panola fumbled its next possession and Hoskins recovered. Two plays later, Hoskins scored on a 34-yard run with 3:17 left in the half. As Hoskins also scored the two-point conversion, Batesville led 24-6 at halftime.

On defense in the first half, Batesville’s Dreland Porter also recovered a fumble and was credited with a tackle for lost yards.

Also getting sacks were Kasey Hankins and Sanford.

For North Panola, quarterback/cornerback Roderick Bobo recorded tackles, along with Dequarius Lee.

The second offensive unit took over for Batesville in the second half. The offense did not score, but on defense Twilley intercepted a Cougar pass and returned it 30 yards for Batesville’s final touchdown of the night. The two-point conversion failed with 6:11 left in the third for the 30-6 lead.

In  the third quarter, Cougars Decameron Bobo and Edrick Leverson recorded tackles for loss.

The final score of the night belonged to North Panola when Demetrick Porter picked up a Batesville fumble and returned it 47 yards to score with 51 seconds left in the game. The two-point pass attempt failed.

This was North Panola’s final home game of the season. The Cougars will play at Tunica on October 11 and at Coldwater on October 20 to end the season.

Batesville will be home Tuesday to host Grenada and home the 20th to host Charleston. The final game of the season will be at Olive Branch on October 27.