The Sports Report Jason PattersonYazoo County’s 7-6 victory over Yazoo City was a huge accomplishment for the Panthers, but the team’s most important victory occurred before the first whistle ever blew on the 2012 football season.
There’s a new attitude at Yazoo County, and it’s immediately evident when you step past the ticket stand.
The first thing you notice is that the field is looking better than it ever has before. It’s easy to see because, at least for the first time that I recall, every single light is shining bright above the field.
Every detail from the condition of field and the paint to the new play clocks on each end of the field adds to the atmosphere of a program on the rise.
I mentioned some of these observations to Dr. Tom Taylor on the sidelines of a game, and he excitedly began describing future improvements that are in store for the program. Taylor’s enthusiasm matched the intensity of the guys on the field.
Perhaps the most important development is that it’s getting a lot harder to find a seat at Yazoo County on Friday night. That’s a good problem to have for a football program, and it’s certainly a welcome development at YCHS.
Panthers fans have shown strong support over the years, but there have been times that I was surprised at how light the turnout was for a home game.
But you can expect a packed house every time if people know they’re going to see a good football game, and the Panthers are delivering every Friday night.
Coach Bernard Eull and his staff have built a team that expects to win - not because they have a sense of entitlement but because they’ve put in the hard work it takes to be a successful team.
After a disappointing 29-28 loss to Florence in the opener that could have set the tone for the season, Yazoo County has gone on to beat three competitive football teams. After beating Germantown 14-7 on the road the Panthers cruised past Velma Jackson 49-14.
Beating Yazoo City was significant because it’s the first time it happened  since 2003, but it also proved that this team has potential to make a postseason run.
It’s much too early to be talking playoffs with so much football left to be played, but it’s a very realistic goal and I don’t think there’s any doubt that every member of the Panthers football team is making plans to still be strapping on those helmets at the end of the regular season.
The next step is Friday night when the Panthers host McClain.
You better get there early if you want to make sure you have a seat.