Chargers fall to South Panola 41-34
Published 11:35 pm Friday, September 6, 2024
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Oxford vs. South Panola’s Marcus Christon Jr. (8) breaks away from Oxford’s Wesley Gaia (46) to score with 12 seconds remaining in the game at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, September 6, 2024. South Panola won 41-34. (©Bruce Newman)
Oxford’s Kingston Gregory (12) makes a touchdown catch against South Panola’s Tyson Lee (30) at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, September 6, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)
Oxford’s Kamar Houston (7) runs past South Panola’s Jamarcus Flowers to score in the third quarter at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, September 6, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)
Oxford vs. South Panola at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, September 6, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)
Oxford’s Kamar Houston (7) runs against South Panola at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, September 6, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)
Oxford’s Kamar Houston (7) runs against South Panola at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, September 6, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)
Oxford’s Levi Blount (8) catches a pass during the first quarter against South Panola at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, September 6, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)
Oxford’s Hudson Maxcy (17) runs past South Panola’s Montravius Barksdale (93) at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, September 6, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)
Oxford’s Levi Blount (8) returns a punt past South Panola’s Jamarcus Flowers (2) at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, September 6, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)
Oxford’s Drew Dean (14) runs against South Panola at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, September 6, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)
Oxford’s Bryant Mix (6) is tackled by South Panola’s Caleb Lyle (3) at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, September 6, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)
Oxford’s Bryant Mix (6) and Oxford’s Jalyen Judson (9) tackle South Panola’s Marcus Christon Jr. (8) at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, September 6, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)
Oxford’s Kingston Gregory (12) runs against South Panola at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, September 6, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)
Oxford’s Hudson Maxcy (17) runs against South Panola at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, September 6, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)
By Myra Bean
Sports writer
It was a matchup of the two powerhouse teams of North Mississippi when 7A Oxford Chargers hosted 6A South Panola Friday night.
The game lived up to its hype and trash talk. The teams are no strangers to each other being 25 miles apart.
South Panola pulled out the upset over No. 9 Oxford 41-34 in a comeback game no one saw coming.
South Panola jumped out to a 7-0 start but Oxford tied the game at seven at the 8:11 first-quarter mark on a 10-yard pass from Drew Dean to Jai Johnson. Michael Thompson completed four of five PATs on the night. South Panola jumped out to a 19-7 lead which stood at halftime.
Oxford roared back in the third quarter, taking the 21-19 lead. Kamar Houston broke for a 47-yard run in the third to cut the lead 19-14 and Dean hit a receiver for a 34-yard touchdown pass to take the lead 21-19 with 3: 59 to go in the third.
Oxford padded its lead 28-19 on a 72-yard punt returned for a touchdown by Levi Blount with 11:33 left in the fourth quarter.
Oxford’s last touchdown was a one-yard run by Dean that was set up by a 19-yard pass to Levi Blount with 1:55 left in the game to tie the game at 34. The snap for Thompson’s PAT was high and he had to down the ball.
Oxford had a total of 280 yards of offense, 109 rushing on 35 carries and 171 completing 17 of 23 passes.
Oxford (1-1) will travel to play Grenada on Friday, Sept. 13.