Jamarius Jackson
Hernando Tigers Football at the Tiger Stadium 9/19/25
HERNANDO, Miss. — Homecoming night at Hernando High School had all the makings of a celebration, and the Tigers made sure it ended that way. Behind a balanced offensive attack and an electric stadium atmosphere, Hernando defeated Center Hill 38-17 on Sept. 19 to cap off a night filled with football, spirit, and school pride.
The Tigers (3-1) wasted little time putting points on the board. Quarterback Asher Lawson connected on two first-half touchdown passes, and running back Cooper Lankford kept the chains moving with a bruising ground game. By halftime, Hernando held a 24-0 lead, setting the tone for a dominant night on both sides of the ball. Lankford finished with 159 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, while Lawson went 8-of-11 passing for 114 yards and three scores. As a team, Hernando piled up 222 rushing yards.
Center Hill managed to cut into the deficit in the third quarter with a pair of scoring drives, but Hernando’s defense answered the challenge. The Tigers sealed the win in the fourth with two more touchdowns, putting the game out of reach.
As much as the football was the highlight, the night belonged to the larger celebration of Homecoming. At halftime, senior Libby Foster was crowned Hernando’s Homecoming Queen, drawing cheers that echoed across the new Tiger Stadium. The announcement capped a halftime filled with music, dancing, and tradition, with the Hernando High School band, dance team, and cheer squad all performing before an energized crowd.
The energy in the stands matched the action on the field. The student section roared on every defensive stop and big play, waving signature hand signs and to keep the momentum alive. The Hernando band set the stage before kickoff with a spirited pregame performance, adding to the excitement that lasted deep into the night.
After the final whistle, the Tigers and their classmates turned the win into a celebration. Players danced alongside cheerleaders and the dance team, while the band played upbeat tunes that had the student section spilling onto the track in joy. The collaboration was a fitting end to a night that showcased Hernando’s unity and school spirit as much as its football team’s talent.
“This is what Homecoming is all about,” Hernando senior Amiya Coley said. “The team was hyped by the energy from the stands, and our school community showed up in a big way. To win in that environment makes it even more special.”
The Tigers will look to carry that momentum forward as they return to action this Friday, traveling to face the Horn Lake Eagles for Horn Lake’s Homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.