On October 26, 2001, Pontotoc and Nettleton faced off in a Class 3A, District 2 matchup. Both teams entered at 4-4. Pontotoc was fighting for playoff seeding, while Nettleton was chasing a winning record.
Head coach Dennis Robbins’ team had made its reputation on defense. Through the season, Pontotoc allowed only 119 points in 11 games, an average of 10.8 per contest. That led the district. The offense averaged 19.4 points per game but the defense defined their identity.
Richard Kendrick’s second season at Nettleton produced a 4-4 record. The Tigers showed offensive flashes but struggled defensively. They scored 185 points in eight games, averaging 18.5 per contest, but allowed 254 points, 25.4 per game.
Still, momentum was on their side after a 35-20 win over Caledonia.
The matchup raised a clear question. Could Nettleton’s offense find consistency against one of the area’s toughest defenses? Or would Pontotoc’s disciplined unit smother another opponent?
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