South Panola School District
Encyclopedia
The South Panola School District is a public school district
based in Batesville
, Mississippi
(USA
).
In addition to Batesville, the district also serves the village of Pope
, the town of Courtland
, and the Panola County
portion of Crowder
as well as rural areas in southern Panola County.
Malorie Kennedy attends school here and is a very loved daughter of mine.
SP (whose mascot is the tiger) holds the third longest winning streak in high school football history -- 89 games, which began in 2003 and ended in 2008 at the hands of the Meridian High School Wildcats in the Mississippi 5A Championship Game. Only two winning streaks are longer in high school football: Independence High School (Charlotte, North Carolina) won 109 consecutive games from 2000–2007 and De La Salle High School
in Concord, California
won 151 consecutive games from 1992-2003.
The Tigers captured five consecutive MHSAA Class 5A State Championships from 2003–2007, which is the longest streak of consecutive MHSAA State Championships since the Association began holding playoffs in 1981. Their streak of seven consecutive appearances in the 5A Championship game is also a record.
In 2009 the MHSAA added a 6A classification and SP was realigned into that classification. In the inaugural 6A championship game on December 4,, 2009, SP gained yet another title with a 56–14 win over Oak Grove on December 4, 2009 at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium
in Jackson, Mississippi
. This title was the Tigers' eighth overall, more than any other MHSAA member school.
South Panola Tigers 5A Championship Football Game history:
In 2009, with the expansion of classifications to 6, South Panola moved up to 6A in 2009.
South Panola Tigers 6A Championship Football Game history:
Not surprisingly, South Panola's football program has produced an impressive lineage of college and professional football players. Among the most well-known are former teammates on South Panola's first championship team in 1993 and at the University of Alabama
, linebacker Dwayne Rudd
, a former member of the NFL's Cleveland Browns
and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
, and cornerback Deshea Townsend
of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers
. The 1996 and 1997 state runner-up teams featured quarterback Josh Bright, who went on to lead Delta State to the Division II national championship in 2000 and was also honored that same year with the Conerly Trophy which is given to the best college football player in Mississippi. Peria Jerry, a defensive tackle for Ole Miss, was selected as an All-American by the Associated Press and was later drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, selected as the 24th pick by the Atlanta Falcons
. Derek Pegues
, who was a two-time First Team All-State honoree (by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger) as South Panola's quarterback from 2003–2004, later starred as a defensive back for Mississippi State University
of the Southeastern Conference
. He was an All-SEC
selection in 2007 (Second-Team defense). Several of Pegues' teammates also competed in the SEC: Demario Bobo (DB, Sr., Mississippi State
), brothers Peria and John Jerry (DL & OL, Jr. & So., respectively, Ole Miss
), Jamarca Sanford (Safety - Minnesota Vikings)(DB, Jr., Ole Miss
), Chris Strong (LB, Fr., Ole Miss
) and Jeramie Griffin (RB, Fr., Alabama
). Former Ole Miss
standouts such as linebacker Eddie Strong and defensive back Toward Sanford also attended South Panola.
The South Panola High School Varsity Cheerleaders were ranked sixth in the nation in the Super Varsity division at the 2007 UCA Nationals in Orlando, Florida. South Panola Junior High School Cheerleaders were ranked fifth in the nation in the large division at the 2007 UCA Nationals in Orlando, Florida.
More recently, the girl's fastpitch softball team won the 2006–2007 state championship by defeating Oak Grove in a 2/3 set. This marked the first time the South Panola softball team won the state championship. The Lady Tigers repeated as state fast-pitch softball champions in 2008. Star pitcher, Whitney Kihnl, was named the state's Miss Softball both years by The Clarion Ledger.
Batesville Junior High's seventh and eighth football teams were undefeated for the 2006–2007 school year.
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
based in Batesville
Batesville, Mississippi
Batesville is a city in Panola County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 7,113 at the 2000 census.-History:The Land upon which present day Batesville is situated originally belonged to a Chickasaw Indian called Ish-Sho-Nu-Nah...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
(USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
).
In addition to Batesville, the district also serves the village of Pope
Pope, Mississippi
Pope is a village in Panola County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 241 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Pope is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land....
, the town of Courtland
Courtland, Mississippi
Courtland is a town in Panola County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 460 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Courtland is located at ....
, and the Panola County
Panola County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 34,274 people, 12,232 households, and 9,014 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 13,736 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile...
portion of Crowder
Crowder, Mississippi
Crowder is a town in Panola and Quitman Counties in the U.S. state of Mississippi. The population was 766 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Crowder is located at . Most of the town is in Quitman County with a portion on the east in adjacent Panola County...
as well as rural areas in southern Panola County.
Schools
- South Panola High School
- Batesville Junior High School
- Batesville Middle School
- Batesville Intermediate School
- Batesville Elementary School
- Pope School
Malorie Kennedy attends school here and is a very loved daughter of mine.
2006–07 school year
There were a total of 4,671 students enrolled in the South Panola School District during the 2006-2007 school year. The gender makeup of the district was 49% female and 51% male. The racial makeup of the district was 56.13% African American, 42.71% White, 1.03% Hispanic, and 0.13% Asian. 61.8% of the district's students were eligible to receive free lunch.Previous school years
| School Year | Enrollment | Gender Makeup | Racial Makeup | |||||
| Female | Male | Asian | African American |
Hispanic | Native American |
White | ||
| 2005-06 | 4,690 | 49% | 51% | 0.15% | 55.29% | 1.11% | – | 43.45% |
| 2004-05 | 4,690 | 49% | 51% | 0.15% | 55.29% | 0.94% | – | 43.62% |
| 2003-04 | 4,665 | 49% | 51% | 0.26% | 55.63% | 0.84% | 0.02% | 43.26% |
| 2002-03 | 4,592 | 49% | 51% | 0.37% | 56.05% | 0.81% | 0.02% | 42.75% |
Accountability statistics
| 2006-07 | 2005-06 | 2004-05 | 2003-04 | 2002-03 | |
| District Accreditation Status | Accredited | Accredited | Accredited | Accredited | Accredited |
| School Performance Classifications | |||||
| Level 5 (Superior Performing) Schools | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Level 4 (Exemplary) Schools | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Level 3 (Successful) Schools | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| Level 2 (Under Performing) Schools | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Level 1 (Low Performing) Schools | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Not Assigned | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Athletics
South Panola High School (sometimes referred to as "SP", or "USP", in reference to the nickname of the "University of" South Panola, adorned by Jackson Clarion-Ledger sports writer Rick Cleveland) is known for its impressive football tradition.SP (whose mascot is the tiger) holds the third longest winning streak in high school football history -- 89 games, which began in 2003 and ended in 2008 at the hands of the Meridian High School Wildcats in the Mississippi 5A Championship Game. Only two winning streaks are longer in high school football: Independence High School (Charlotte, North Carolina) won 109 consecutive games from 2000–2007 and De La Salle High School
De La Salle High School (Concord, California)
De La Salle High School is a Roman Catholic Private school for boys in Concord, California, United States. Located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland, the school was founded in 1965 as a Lasallian institution. De La Salle currently enrolls just over 1,000 students, and roughly 99% of each...
in Concord, California
Concord, California
Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County, California, USA. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 122,067. Originally founded in 1869 as the community of Todos Santos by Salvio Pacheco, the name was changed to Concord within months...
won 151 consecutive games from 1992-2003.
The Tigers captured five consecutive MHSAA Class 5A State Championships from 2003–2007, which is the longest streak of consecutive MHSAA State Championships since the Association began holding playoffs in 1981. Their streak of seven consecutive appearances in the 5A Championship game is also a record.
In 2009 the MHSAA added a 6A classification and SP was realigned into that classification. In the inaugural 6A championship game on December 4,, 2009, SP gained yet another title with a 56–14 win over Oak Grove on December 4, 2009 at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium
Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium
Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium is an outdoor football stadium in Jackson, Mississippi, USA. Veterans Memorial Stadium is the home field of the Jackson State University Tigers. In July 2011, Jackson State University will own and operate the stadium...
in Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
. This title was the Tigers' eighth overall, more than any other MHSAA member school.
South Panola Tigers 5A Championship Football Game history:
| Year | 5A Champion | 5A Runner-up | Tigers' Record | Head Coach | USA Today National Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | South Panola Tigers | 42 | Warren Central Vikings | 28 | 15-0 | Willis Wright | 13th |
| 1996 | Moss Point Tigers | 33 | South Panola Tigers | 30 | 14-1 | Ed Stanley | NR |
| 1997 | Moss Point Tigers | 17 | South Panola Tigers | 14 | 14-1 | Ed Stanley | NR |
| 1998 | South Panola Tigers | 45 | Hattiesburg Tigers | 17 | 14-1 | Ed Stanley | NR |
| 2002 | Wayne County War Eagles | 21 | South Panola Tigers | 14 | 14-1 | Ricky Woods | NR |
| 2003 | South Panola Tigers | 33 | Oak Grove Warriors | 14 | 15-0 | Ricky Woods | 9th |
| 2004 | South Panola Tigers | 39 | Ocean Springs Greyhounds | 21 | 15-0 | Ricky Woods | 7th |
| 2005 | South Panola Tigers | 52 | Meridian Wildcats | 14 | 15-0 | Ricky Woods | 6th |
| 2006 | South Panola Tigers | 28 | Meridian Wildcats | 21 | 15-0 | Ricky Woods | 9th |
| 2007 | South Panola Tigers | 28 | George County Rebels | 21 | 15-0 | Lance Pogue | 9th |
| 2008 | Meridian Wildcats | 26 | South Panola Tigers | 20 | 14-1 | Lance Pogue | NR |
In 2009, with the expansion of classifications to 6, South Panola moved up to 6A in 2009.
South Panola Tigers 6A Championship Football Game history:
| Year | 6A Champion | 6A Runner-up | Tigers' Record | Head Coach | USA Today National Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | South Panola Tigers | 56 | Oak Grove Warriors | 14 | 14-1 | Lance Pogue | NR |
Not surprisingly, South Panola's football program has produced an impressive lineage of college and professional football players. Among the most well-known are former teammates on South Panola's first championship team in 1993 and at the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
, linebacker Dwayne Rudd
Dwayne Rudd
Dwayne Rudd is an American football linebacker who is a free agent in the National Football League, having not played in the NFL since 2003. During his career he played for the Minnesota Vikings, the Cleveland Browns and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
, a former member of the NFL's Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, and cornerback Deshea Townsend
Deshea Townsend
Trevor Deshea Townsend is a former defensive back in the National Football League, and is currently a defensive backs coach for the Arizona Cardinals and most recently a player for the Indianapolis Colts...
of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. The 1996 and 1997 state runner-up teams featured quarterback Josh Bright, who went on to lead Delta State to the Division II national championship in 2000 and was also honored that same year with the Conerly Trophy which is given to the best college football player in Mississippi. Peria Jerry, a defensive tackle for Ole Miss, was selected as an All-American by the Associated Press and was later drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, selected as the 24th pick by the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Derek Pegues
Derek Pegues
Derek Alan Pegues is an American football defensive back who is currently a free agent.-Personal:He is the cousin of former NFL Linebacker Dwayne Rudd...
, who was a two-time First Team All-State honoree (by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger) as South Panola's quarterback from 2003–2004, later starred as a defensive back for Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
of the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
. He was an All-SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
selection in 2007 (Second-Team defense). Several of Pegues' teammates also competed in the SEC: Demario Bobo (DB, Sr., Mississippi State
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
), brothers Peria and John Jerry (DL & OL, Jr. & So., respectively, Ole Miss
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
), Jamarca Sanford (Safety - Minnesota Vikings)(DB, Jr., Ole Miss
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
), Chris Strong (LB, Fr., Ole Miss
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
) and Jeramie Griffin (RB, Fr., Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
). Former Ole Miss
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
standouts such as linebacker Eddie Strong and defensive back Toward Sanford also attended South Panola.
The South Panola High School Varsity Cheerleaders were ranked sixth in the nation in the Super Varsity division at the 2007 UCA Nationals in Orlando, Florida. South Panola Junior High School Cheerleaders were ranked fifth in the nation in the large division at the 2007 UCA Nationals in Orlando, Florida.
More recently, the girl's fastpitch softball team won the 2006–2007 state championship by defeating Oak Grove in a 2/3 set. This marked the first time the South Panola softball team won the state championship. The Lady Tigers repeated as state fast-pitch softball champions in 2008. Star pitcher, Whitney Kihnl, was named the state's Miss Softball both years by The Clarion Ledger.
Batesville Junior High's seventh and eighth football teams were undefeated for the 2006–2007 school year.
External links
- South Panola School District
- Panola Remembers: A History of Panola Education by Prof. Carl Edwin Lindgren, 1996. Morris Publishing Co. The book is also on-line at Panola Remembers: A History of Panola Education