Coahoma County lost 50-0 at North Panola to open the 2017 season, but it’s a different year and both teams know they will have to be ready to play in their rematch.
The Red Panthers (2-8-1 in 2017) host the Cougars at 7 p.m. Thursday to open the 2018 season. The Cougars advanced to the Class 3A state semifinals last season.
Sophomore Lamont Lee is back as the starting quarterback after being injured for most of 2017.
The Red Panthers will run a spread with multiple formations and have a balanced attack. It will be a one-back system with three to four wide receivers in the game at a time.
Seniors Markevius Phillips and Jeffery Fisher will be at cornerback and receiver, while all the linemen are expected to go both ways. Junior Clintavious Davis is one of the main running backs.
“We’re going to have to be mistake-free,” CCHS first-year coach Mario Lane said. “We’re going to have to be physical at the point of contact. We’re going to have to get some execution at our skill positions and not give up the big plays.”
North Panola has a balanced attack as it had more than 3,000 rushing yards and 3,000 passing yards each one year ago.
“I think we’ve just got to go do what we do, take care of ourselves, play our brand of football and set the tone,” Cougars coach Carl Diffee said. “We need a good game from our running back Clarence Taylor. Of course, our quarterback K.J. (Kenneth Jefferson) makes us go. He’s committed to Arkansas. He’s a four-star.”
North Panola defensive linemen include Jaylen Gipson, Key’Shaun Glover and Rodrick Taylor. Linebackers are Norman Edwards, Ethan Leverson and Carl Robinson.
Both coaches had a mutual respect.
“Traditionally, they have really good athletes,” Diffee said.
Diffee said he knew Lane when he was at Ruleville before Coahoma County and he is looking for the Red Panthers to put up a good fight.
“They’re good everywhere,” Lane said of North Panola. “They were pretty good last year. They’re bringing a lot back. I figure they’ll be a lot better, but everybody has got to line up and play the game. We’ve got to play the game.”
