Story Created:
Nov 26, 2008 at 4:56 PM CST
Story Updated:
Dec 3, 2008 at 4:11 PM CST
Madison Central put its best foot forward in the second half but could not knockoff the five time defending champions, South Panola Tigers losing a close one 24-21.
The game saw South Panola come out of the gates to a 10 to 0 halftime lead but a blur of points in the second half kept a capacity crowd eyes glued to the field despite a downpour.
In what would be the theme of the game Madison Central would not go away. They came out firing in the second half with two touchdowns in the third quarter to take the lead.
Madison Central took a lead late into the third until the empire strikes back. A short pass to Taylor Rottenberry gave South Panola the lead. South Panola must have known they'd need more points. A gutsy call on 4th down resulted in a 21 yard Xavier Lee touchdown reception which turned out to be the game winner.
Madison Central continued to show fight, scoring a touchdown to keep it close on a pass to Tobias Singleton. The Jaguars got one more chance with one minute thirty seconds on the clock but an arrant pass ended up in the arms of a Tiger. South Panola was then able to kneel out the game and hold on to their now 89 game win streak with the 24-21 victory.
The Tigers go for the mind numbing six-peat next week in Jackson in the 5A state title game.
Game Notes:
1:35 First Quarter South Panola Kicks a Field Goal to go up 3 to 0
9:18 Second Quarter South Panola's David Renfroe rushes in for a touchdown. South Panola leads 10 to 0Halftime: South Panola takes their 10 to 0 lead into the locker room. 10:09 Third Quarter: Madison Central finds the end zone out of halftime and comes out with an opening drive narrowing the gap to 10 to 7. 6:50 Third Quarter: Madison Central is a different team in the second half scoring another touchdown to take the lead 14 to 10. 2:47 Third Quarter: South Panola strikes back with a short pass to Taylor Rottenberry for a touchdown. The Tigers lead 17 to 14.6:42 Fourth Quarter: South Panola puts its money where its mouth is with a 4th down 21 yard pass to Xavier Lee for a score. South Panola leads 24 to 14.5:17 Fourth Quarter: Madison Central showing some heart answers quickly with a touchdown pass to Tobias Singleton to stay in the game. The Jags are down 24 to 21.1:34 Fourth Quarter: Madison Central will have one last drive. The Jags stopped South Panola and have the ball with a chance to end the 88 game win streak of the Tigers. :44 Fourth Quarter: South Panola breathes a sigh of the relief, intercepting Madison Central. The Tigers will kneel out the rest of the game and move on to the state title with their now 89 game unbeaten streak intact. South Panola's Nicholas Parker and David Connor did not play in the second half.
Friday night the South Panola Tigers will take their 88 game undefeated streak into "The Jungle" for a cat fight with the Madison Central Jaguars.
Madison Central comes into the the clash of titans riding a wave of emotion coming from a thrilling three overtime victory against a solid Olive Branch squad.
South Panola comes in as one of the best teams in the county. The Tigers impressive win streak has brought national attention and garnered a number 10 ranking nationally.
Madison Central players say that they will look right passed the ranking and refuse to be intimidated by what seems to be an insurmountable task of unseating South Panola.
Madison Central will attempt to tame the tigers and march into the state championship in front of what is expected to be a sell out crowd.
FOX 40 will be at the game to bring you highlights and scoring updates on the web.
