11/25/2009 10:28:00 AM The Year of the Jaguar? MCHS looks to avenge ‘08 loss to South Panola
The Madison Central offense will have its hands full this Friday as they face South Panola, a team that's only given up 17 points and has scored four shutouts in its last six games. The Jaguars bring a lot to the table, however, having scored 49 or more points in their last eight games. Pictured above, from left, quarterback Peyton Johnson, running back Tamarco Taylor and receiver Tobias Singleton look to put up numbers against one of the state's best defenses.
By STEVEN G. WATSON Associate Editor
An unstoppable force will meet an immovable object this Friday as the No. 1 ranked Madison Central Jaguars travel to Batesville to take on the No. 2 ranked South Panola Tigers.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. as the two teams will be playing for the Class 6A North State Championship and a spot in the Class 6A Championship game in Jackson on Dec. 4.
The Jaguars (13-0) have been ranked No. 1 in the state all season and are ranked as high as No. 9 by some national polls.
The Tigers (12-1) are No. 2 in the state and have lost only two games in the last six years. They had won five-straight championships before losing to Meridian in last year's championship game.
The much-anticipated game has all the makings of a classic as Madison Central pits its high-flying offense against the stifling defense of South Panola.
While the Jaguars have averaged an incredible 45.6 points per game this year, the Tigers have allowed only 7 points per game, including five shutouts this season.
Madison Central head coach Bobby Hall says whoever wins that matchup will likely win the game.
"There's no doubt that's the key matchup going in," Hall said. "We're extremely good offensively and they're very good defensively."
Calling them the best football team the Jaguars have played so far this year, Hall said his team will be tested against a talented ball team all around.
"Really, what jumps out at you is their athleticism and their speed," Hall said. "We're just trying to get our game plan down and go on the road and play a big ball game."
South Panola head coach Lance Pogue said he has a lot of respect for Madison Central, going so far as to call his Tigers huge underdogs in the contest.
"They have no weaknesses,"
Pogue said. "They're good from their lead senior down to their managers. It's going to be a big chore for us and we'll be heavy underdogs."
Pogue said it's no secret what the Tigers will try to do Friday, explaining they'll do what they always do -- play good defense and run the ball.
"We need a game where we can run the ball some then hit some big pass plays in places," Pogue said. "We're just going to scratch and claw and get to the fourth quarter where we hope we have a chance to win it."
South Panola's only loss was a 21-19 setback to Memphis University in week 3. Currently Memphis University is ranked No. 21 in the national poll that has Madison Central at No. 9.
While their defense has been stiffling South Panola has run up some major numbers on offense this year as well scoring over 34 points in all but one game this year.
They easily dispatched Northwest Rankin and Clinton in the first and second round of the playoffs by a combined score of 89-10.
Their top offensive threat is running back Nicholas parker who had 273 yards against Clinton last week and has 1,461 yards this season along with 16 TDs.
Quarterback Lee Self has 1,601 yards passing to go with 15 TDs and 9 interceptions. Most of his passes have gone to receiver Nicklos Brassell who has 59 receptions for 1,123 yards and 14 TDs.
They will be going up against a Jaguar defense that is no slouch.
MCHS has given up only 11 points per game this season and has scored four shutouts of their own.
"They have an unbelievable defensive line," Pogue said. "Our offensive line is facing a major challege."
Jags score 52 straight against Olive Branch
Behind 15-2 in the second quarter of their second round playoff game some teams may have gotten worried, but the Madison Central Jaguars know they can score in bunches.
It showed last Friday as they poured on the offense to destroy an out-matched Olive Branch team 54-23 and earn a trip to the North State Championship.
Once again junior receiver Tobias Singleton was the big play man as the speedster scored twice, once on a 64-yard run and again on a 55-yard reception from quarterback Peyton Johnson.
Singleton finished with 85 yards receiving and 64 yards rushing in the game.
Johnson was 10-of-18 passing for 173 yards and three TDs. He also rushed for one touchdown.
Johnson connected for two of his touchdowns with senior receiver L.J. Hollins who had four catches for 42 yards.
Senior Tamarco Taylor rushed seven times for 95 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown run.
Also scoring was Jawaan Luckett on a 3-yard run in the fourth quarter and Mitch Huff on a 26-yard field goal in the third.
Senior Carlton Martin led the defense, shutting down the Olive Branch rushing attack with 10 tackles including two sacks, one for a safety.
Kenny Barnes finished with 14 tackles including a sack while Tyrese McDonald and Bryon Bennett each had ninetackles.
