Free Republic

(Batesville, MS 11/15/2010) -- The traditional pre-game prayer was replaced by a moment of silence before the South Panola High School Football game Friday. But many in the crowd decided not to remain silent, instead they recited the Lord's Prayer out loud. Superintendent Dr. Keith Shaffer, who made the decision to replace the prayer, was glad the crowd prayed. "I was proud," he says. "My community is what I worry about. I have to abide by what the law says and what the Federal Courts tell me, but when my community steps forward and asserts itself, I'm fine with that."...

They've won a nation-best 80 consecutive games, five straight MHSAA Class 5A state titles and are ranked No. 14 nationally by USA Today. Yet South Panola coach Lance Pogue isn't the least bit overconfident when it comes to the Tigers' Region 1-5A showdown tonight against Olive Branch at Pool Field. "We've got to hold up and match how physical they are. If we can hold up to that, I think we'll have a chance," said Pogue, whose Tiger program hasn't tasted defeat since the 2002 MHSAA Class 5A championship game. Olive Branch (4-1), ranked No. 4 in The Commercial Appeal's...