By Myra Bean
Even though North Panola saw a major part of its offense graduate after last season, the upcoming offense showed it had something to contribute in Friday’s 32-0 win over 6A Jim Hill of Jackson.

North Panola’s upcoming senior Justin Connor took the opening snap 59 yards to the Jim Hill 11-yard line. Then he took the next ball 10-yards to the one-yard line to set up Deante Sipp’s one-yard touchdown run.

Sipp then took in the two-point conversion with 10:54 left in the first quarter.

Jim Hill tried its running game and air game, but the Cougar defense came up big each time in the stop.

The Cougar defense went into full attack against the Jim Hill offense with a sack by Kiron Covington, upcoming senior linebacker. Also, pass coverage by Cougar Marvin Adams broke up some key passes.

North Panola scored again with 17 seconds left in the first quarter on a 17-yard run by Sipp.  Sipp also scored the two-point conversion.

The Cougar offense behind starting quarterback David Burton took the ball 60-yards in eight plays, aided by 23 yards by Burton, 24 yards by Sipp and  two passes from Burton to Ankeyias Harris and Covington for nine total yards.

On a sack in the second quarter, Covington tackled the Jim Hill quarterback in the end zone for a safety with 10:44 to go in the half and took an 18-0 lead.

North Panola scored once more in the second quarter to take a 26-0 lead into halftime. Connor capped a nine-play, 70-yard drive on a two-yard run with 4:50 left in the half. Burton took in the two-point conversion.

The drive was aided by a 17-yard pass from Burton to Harris and a 31-yard run by Adams.
Harris also intercepted a pass late in the second quarter.

The teams did not actually take a halftime as thunderstorms were moving through the area, but cut the time in the last two quarters. The game was delayed 35-minutes as a thunderstorm came through as the game was about to start, wetting the playing field.

The second team took over the game in the second half. Kenneth Jefferson took over the quarterback position.

North Panola scored one last touchdown by Tyler Shorter on a nine-yard run with 5:55 left in the game. The two-point conversion failed and the final score stood 32-0.

2015 Season
The Cougars will open the season Friday, August 21 at home against Rosa Fort.

North Panola has already made tailgating plans for their Heritage Classic, formerly known as homecoming.

It will be played against Manassas High School on Friday, September 25. Homecoming week festivities will begin Tuesday night, September 22 with alumni social and meet and greet at Windy City Grille in Como. Coronation will be Wednesday, September 23 with the parade on Thursday, September 24.

For tailgating information, contact Mrs. Jones in the high school main office and pay fees by September 1. Spots for tailgates go on sale starting today.