What the Tigers Say About Olive Branch...

All that pointing at opposing players and trash talking like “I’m gonna get you” isn’t real smart, because God doesn’t like ugly.
David Conner
South Panola FootballPlayer

Olive Branch is the school most determined to beat us.
Jamie Battle
South Panola Cheerleader

Olive Branch is capable of beating us every year, because they have the numbers and the quality of players.
Jerry Autrey
Mayor of Batesville

Olive Branch has always had a proud football tradition. It goes all the way back to Coach Leslie Pool.
George Carlson
South Panola Radio Announcer

Our weight room may not be better than their weight room, but as long as we work hard, we don’t need all that fancy stuff.
David Conner
South Panola Football Player

I think there is no question that Olive Branch is the second best 5A team in Mississippi – not just the past year, but over the last several years. South Panola has just been fortunate to be a little bit better.
Lance Pogue
South Panola Head Football Coach

After the playoff game this past year, the Olive Branch players wished us “Good luck. Hope you win it all.” They showed good sportsmanship. It really meant a lot coming from our biggest rival.
Marvin Burdett
South Panola Football Player

The two schools respect each other. It is a very intense rivalry and a lot of fun. You won’t find nicer people than the folks in Olive Branch.
George Carlson
South Panola Radio Announcer

The Olive Branch fans probably think we are really cocky because we are undefeated and have the long winning streak. We really don’t think like that at all. We just like to win. Batesville is just a town that loves its football. It’s not just the school. It’s the whole town.
Jamie Battle
South Panola Cheerleader

The fans at Olive Branch think South Panola has won so often that we don’t care very much anymore. They are wrong!
Myra Bean
Sports Reporter for The Panolian

I admire Olive Branch. If I couldn’t go to school at South Panola, I would want to go to Olive Branch. I want them to win all their other games like they have been doing; because the more they win it inspires me.
David Conner
South Panola Football Player

What the Conquistadors Say About South Panola...

South Panola has an unusually large number of quality players. I think they have gained the confidence needed to win close games. The opponent comes in thinking maybe they can’t win. In close games, South Panola’s players seem to have the backbone and character to reach back and go to another level to get that win.
Coach Leslie Pool
Former Olive Branch Head Football Coach

I think their kids work hard in the weight room. Their kids expect to win. From the time they are in the 7th grade, they know there is something special about them because they wear that “SP”.
Coach Rob Pool
Olive Branch Assistant Football Coach

Coach Willis Wright is a winner.
Kellie Samsel
Wife of Olive Branch Head Football Coach

I think their sense of community is still intact. There is a lot of family history and family tradition in South Panola football. Their young men feel a lot of pressure from relatives and the community because it is so tight knit. They feel pressure from the community to not just play football, but to excel in playing football. I believe that is the motivating factor in the weight room. It’s a big deal to the community.
Coach Scott Samsel
Olive Branch Head Football Coach

South Panola’s big criticism of Olive Branch is that we play so many teams out of Tennessee. However, we have a difficult time scheduling games every year.
Andy Wilson
Olive Branch Booster Club President

When South Panola scores a touchdown, it’s almost like, “Okay, wow, another touchdown.”  They aren’t as excited as we are when Olive Branch scores.
Carley Wilson
Olive Branch Cheerleader

I think South Panola is getting complacent. All good things come to an end, and especially if you are cocky.
Carlos Wilson
Olive Branch Football Player

South Panola’s secret to success is hard work and determination. Winning has become contagious. I think people are intimidated by them.
Clint Wilson
Olive Branch Football Player

South Panola has always had that mystique and tradition that means so much to their community.
Jimmy Woods
Olive Branch Play-by-Play Announcer

South Panola has discipline, focus and commitment to their football program.
Sam Rikard
Mayor of Olive Branch