This has been a year of change for the Meridian High School Wildcat football program.

Larry Weems returned to MHS after six successful seasons at Pearl and installed a spread offense has generated some big plays and a lot of yards this season.

Fans might not realize it, but Weems’ coaching staff also put in a new defensive game plan, as well. The Wildcats now play out of a three-man defensive front and play more zone than the man-to-man defense of the past.

“The players had a lot to learn,” said Wildcat defensive coordinator Erik Stensaas, who coached with Weems at Pearl. “They have worked hard and they have really improved. They have learned out to play their positions.”

The Wildcat defense has been good, often holding opponents out of the end zone and forcing a turnover. In fact, against George County in the second round of the playoffs, the defense scored 12 of the Wildcats’ 17 points and set up the winning field goal.

But they will face their toughest game tonight at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson when they take on South Panola in a rematch of last year’s Class 5A state championship game.

Meridian comes in with an 11-3 record while South Panola has a 14-0 mark. The Tigers, who now own a 59-game winning streak, outmanned Meridian last year and most expect for tonight’s game to be more of the same.

“South Panola has a big offensive line,” Stensaas said. “They are a running team. They run two tight ends and come right at you. Stopping them is going to be a tall order

“For the first year, I’m not surprised that we made it this far. I’m just happy. We have prepared a plan for this game and it is a matter of executing it,” Stensaas said.

Those expected to see action on the defensive line are Johnny Timmons, Walter Taylor, Jeterio Glenn and Devron Spain. The linebackers will be Isaiah Lewis, Ricardo Harris, Rodney Warren and Justin Darden while the secondary will be made up of Khairi Usher, Tori Adams and Tanarus Robinson.

Darden is the leading tackler on the team with 104. Warren has 91 tackles while Harris has 89. Usher leads the team in solo tackles with 35 and has 66 total tackles.

The Meridian defense has recovered 27 fumbles and has seven interceptions in 2006.

A native of Rock Springs, Wyoming, Stensaas came to Mississippi in 1997 to coach at Pearl. This will be the first time Stensaas has coached against South Panola. But like most folks involved in high school football, he knows about the Tigers.

“The first year I was here, I saw South Panola lose to Moss Point in the state championship game,” Stensaas said.

“I don’t think our kids will lack confidence going into this game. We have to be ready to play at our best and try to stop them so our offense can get on the field.”