SHANNON - Pontotoc and Shannon will play a night early this week, with the Warriors visiting the Red Raiders on Thursday, Oct. 1, at Shannon High School. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Central. The game was moved from Friday because of the chance of inclement weather Friday night. NMSN's pregame coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Fans selected the matchup as the North Mississippi Sports Network Game of the Week. The schedule change brings the broadcast forward with it; viewers should make their plans for Thursday night.
The most recent meeting gives Pontotoc a clear result to improve on. Shannon went to Pontotoc on Oct. 3, 2025, and won 65-29. Warriors quarterback Courtland Pass rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. Pontotoc found production, but Shannon's 65 points left the Warriors well short.
Those teams have also played much closer games. Pontotoc won 33-32 at Shannon on Aug. 27, 2021. Shannon answered with a 30-21 victory at Pontotoc in 2022, then won 21-0 at home in 2023. The recent meetings have ranged from a one-point finish to last season's 94-point game.
Pontotoc's offensive front and Pass were central to the Warriors' plans entering this fall. In his August preseason report for WTVA, Patrick McCabe identified a veteran line led by Memphis commit Gage Luther and Pass at quarterback as key pieces of the Class 5A team.
Shannon had its own productive quarterback in last year's meeting. Dashaun Clifton threw for 215 yards and three touchdowns in that win. WTVA's June reporting from Shannon identified Clifton as the Red Raiders' senior quarterback and Ken Topps as their head coach.
For Pontotoc, sustaining drives and keeping Shannon from reproducing last year's scoring pace will be worth watching. The Red Raiders, meanwhile, have another opportunity at home against a team that has won a close one on this field before. Thursday's shorter week makes that familiar matchup arrive sooner than either team's original schedule showed.
NMSN's Game of the Week is presented by Impact Health Clinics. Watch free Thursday on Facebook, YouTube or WatchNMSN.com. Pregame begins at 6:30 p.m. Central, followed by kickoff at 7 p.m.
