Game Date: October 19, 2007

Enrollment: 1,269

Football History: Winning at South Panola has almost become matter of fact. As of the Line of Scrimmage’s visit, the Tigers have won 68 consecutive football games – a Mississippi high school record and the longest current streak in the nation. Included in that run are four consecutive Class 5A state championships (Mississippi’s division for its largest schools). The school’s last loss was in the 2002 state championship game.

University of South Panola: No, there is not a college campus in the small town of Panola, Mississippi. South Panola High School is commonly referred to as the University of South Panola. The story goes that a radio announcer once referred to the school as a university because of its physical domination, and the name just sort of stuck. Today, you can find it on bumper stickers, t-shirts, and other paraphernalia around town. Even former South Panola Tigers playing in the NFL have been known to recognize the University of South Panola as their alma mater.

Government Approved: The Mississippi Senate recognizes its high school state football champions by passing a concurrent resolution recognizing the teams’ successes. With South Panola’s fourth consecutive state championship last year, it’s safe to say the Mississippi Senate is well aware of the success at South Panola. Each resolution has to be unanimously passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and signed by the lieutenant governor. Of course, it helps that Mississippi Senator Nolan Mettetal is a graduate of South Panola.

Team MVP: As impressive as the South Panola football team is, one of the most important members of the team has never played a down of football in his life. Von Sanford is the team manager, and has served in that role since 1994. Von was born with Down syndrome, but that doesn’t prevent him from helping out the team in any way he can. Von helps pass out the team jerseys and passes out water during practice. On game day, Von has his own locker and jersey, along with his gloves and South Panola bandana. He picks out a different number to wear each season and helps celebrate Tiger touchdowns with his signature “Prime Time Shuffle” dance.

Interesting Notes: Rap fans may want to take notice of the name Scoot50, an aspiring musician who finds inspiration in the football team, often incorporating the team and its players into his lyrics. He could be the next rap star to emerge from Batesville.

About Batesville: South Panola High School is located in Batesville a city within Mississippi’s Panola County. The land upon which Batesville is situated originally belonged to a Chickasaw Indian named Ish-Sho-Nu-Nah. The land was ceded to the government by the Treaty of Pontotoc Creek in 1832. Later, the land was named after Jim Bates, a conductor on the Mississippi and Tennessee Railroad, and a prominent Methodist minister in the county. Batesville became a popular business center when the Mississippi and Tennessee Railroad laid tracks from Memphis, TN to Grenada, MS, directly through Batesville.