South Panola coach has more concerns than protecting streak

BATESVILLE – The nation’s longest winning streak in high school football sits at 75 games, but for second-year South Panola coach Lance Pogue, there are other things to be concerned with.

The Tigers are scheduled to battle Vicksburg High on Friday at approximately 8:30 in the second half of the Red Carpet Bowl Classic at Memorial Stadium.

Before then, the Tigers must find replacements for a string of graduations and coaching departures. The biggest for the Tigers was the retirement of defensive coordinator Willis Wright, who leaves after originally building the Tiger program in the late 1980s.

Then there is the loss of Mr. Football, Darius “Tig” Barksdale, who literally ran the Tigers to their fifth straight Class 5A State Championship, rushing for 316 yards in a 28-21 win over George County in December’s Class 5A state championship game. It was Barksdale’s fourth straight game over 200 yards in the playoffs. Four of the five linemen who blocked for Barksdale are also gone.

Pogue had the same answer for all the departures.

If you goFriday6 p.m. – WC vs. Clarksdale8:30 p.m. – VHS vs. South PanolaTickets: $10 advance, $12 gateAt Vicksburg Memorial Stadium”We can’t replace him,” Pogue said. “As for Coach Wright, we’ll divide up the defense among the staff. The good thing is we have some good players back. We return all of the front seven, so we’ve got a lot of experience there.”

The problem is in the secondary where three, including Barksdale, have graduated.

Eddie Maxon, a former player at Delta State University and who coached last season at Coahoma County, will assume Wright’s spot on Pogue’s staff. Maxon will serve as the Tigers’ secondary coach.

“The offensive line, the secondary and Tig, were the biggest graduation losses. We have one guy back on the line, our center in Don Blevins.” Pogue said. “As for Tig, you just can’t replace him, either. He showed why he was named Mr. Football,” Pogue said.

The job of replacing Barksdale’s role in the offense will fall to returning QB David Renfroe.

“I think we’ll be better balanced this year in the passing game. David handled it well while we learned a new offensive system,” Pogue said.

The Tigers’ 31-18 win over Warren Central in last year’s Red Carpet Bowl proved beneficial to that end, Pogue said.

“We built off that game. The next week, we went out and beat Clarksdale 49-0,” Pogue said.

This year, the Tigers will face Vicksburg at Memorial Stadium.

“Vicksburg is always talented. Big guys with speed. I remember them from my time with Madison Central. It’s going to be a tough opener,” Pogue said.