Two months ago, mighty South Panola was battered, bleeding, and down on one knee as the count crept closer to 10.

The Tigers, the team that had ruled Mississippi high school football for 15 years, was 1-4 — nearly as many losses as it had had in the previous four years combined — and seemingly on its last legs as a powerhouse program.

Then they did what they always do, and started winning. Six wins and one close loss later, South Panola (7-5) is right back in the Class 6A playoffs with a chance to add to its staggering resumé of 11 state championships.

And, heading north to the place where so many opponents’ championship dreams have gone to die, is Warren Central (9-2).

The Vikings’ job is to go to Batesville and put the final stake in South Panola by knocking them out in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs when the teams meet on Friday night.

“I don’t know if anybody is writing them off. They’re South Panola,” Warren Central coach Josh Morgan said. “They’ve definitely gotten hot, and it’s definitely going to be one of those tough, physical football games.”

South Panola’s resurrection during the Region 1-6A portion of its schedule revolved around a dominant defense. It posted three shutouts, held top-ranked Tupelo without a touchdown in a 3-0 loss, and only allowed seven points to two other opponents.

The offense has only averaged 18.1 points per game this season and been shut out twice, but Morgan said the Tigers’ strong defense more than makes up for that shortcoming.

“I know this: They probably have one of the best defenses in the state. In their district they averaged about six points a game. You can win a lot of football games that way,” Morgan said.

South Panola has won nine state championships and played for two others since 2002. The past two years have seen its remarkable pedigree take a hit, however.

A stunning loss to Madison Central in the first round of last year’s playoffs was followed up by four losses in the first five games this season. A three-game losing streak spanning both seasons was the program’s first in 15 years.

Playing South Panola, however, still carries some mystique. This is the first meeting between South Panola and Warren Central since 2007 and just the fourth ever. The last time they faced each other in the playoffs was in 2000.

“For some reason we haven’t crossed paths in a while. It’s definitely an unfamiliar opponent to us and our kids,” Morgan said. “I think our kids are going to be excited about playing South Panola. And we want to keep playing. Whoever our opponent is, we’re ready and willing.”

Of the four previous meetings between the teams, three came in the playoffs — including the 1993 Class 5A championship game, which South Panola won. Morgan is hoping this renewal of the series is the start of another run to the title game for the Vikings.

Warren Central has been ranked as high as No. 2 in the Associated Press Class 6A poll this season, and has held its own against some of the top teams in Mississippi.

The Vikings handed undefeated Tupelo its last loss, in the first round of last year’s playoffs. They beat Region 3-6A champion Pearl early this year, and put the only blemish on Region 2-6 champion Clinton’s (10-1) record.

Knocking out a program like South Panola would simply be the latest line on a growing resumé the Vikings hope to add to in the next few weeks.

“Our confidence level is high. You look at the number one seeds and we beat Tupelo in the playoffs, we beat Clinton, we beat Pearl,” Morgan said. “Our confidence level is where it needs to be. We’re looking at hopefully getting to play another ballgame. But we’re going to have to earn it.”

WARREN CENTRAL AT SOUTH PANOLA

Friday, 7 p.m.

Radio: 105.5 FM

Class 6A playoffs, first round

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