TERRY – A 40-yard fumble return for a touchdown by CorneliusAllen provided an early spark Friday night and the BrookhavenPanthers exploded for a 48-7 trouncing of the Terry Bulldawgs.Allen also rushed for a touchdown as the Panthers tuned up for aDivision 6-4A showdown with the Lawrence County Cougars.

Brookhaven (6-2, 3-1), rebounding from a disappointing 40-8homecoming loss to division champion McComb, returned the favorFriday night, wrecking Terry’s homecoming celebration. The Panthersused big plays to score touchdowns and Terry’s offense, led by245-pound fullback Bobby “The Train” Kendricks, was derailed byfive fumbles.

The Panthers will host Lawrence County (6-3, 3-1) Friday nighton King Field. The winner will advance to the Class 4A stateplayoffs as division runner-up and play on the road Nov. 10, atDivision 8-4A champion Gautier.

Senior quarterback Fred Perkins said he was happy to see thePanthers bounce back after losing to McComb. He rushed 13 and 63yards for touchdowns and threw a 41-yard TD pass to wide receiverSeth Flynn for another. It was the first TD pass for Perkins whowas converted from receiver to quarterback when preseason practicebegin in early August.

“We got our offense clicking again,” said Perkins. “Hopefully wecan keep it up for Lawrence County.

“I finally threw a touchdown pass and got rid of that gooseegg,” Perkins continued. “Seth Flynn is one of my sure-handedreceivers.”

On a 2-point conversion play late in the first half, Perkinspassed to Corey Wilson and the Panthers led 28-0. An 8-yard TD runby fullback Josh Anderson set up the conversion.

Terry, plagued by turnovers, served up the first fumble on theopening series. Quarterback William Evans tried a bootleg aroundleft end and was rocked by Thomas Barlow’s jarring tackle. Allenscooped up the football and raced 40 yards to the end zone.

Cass Brister kicked the PAT and the Panthers began a 48-pointscoring spree. Wingback Tarik Williams went 73 yards for a TD andit was 14-0 with 1:07 left in the first quarter. Williams directedthe Panthers’ attack with 4 carries for 102 yards.

Terry’s Kendricks would rush 22 times for 119 yards and 1touchdown. He fumbled 3 times and the first one was recovered bySteven Lloyd at Terry’s 38-yard line. Six plays later, Perkins ranthe right side of his line and went 13 yards to paydirt.

Brookhaven led 20-0 with 9:56 left in the first half.

Panther head coach Greg Wall said he was happy to see his teamplay well. “When you play a little bit, you can win. Last week wedidn’t play well on homecoming. It’s hard to get focused.”

Terry head coach David Virgil blamed homecoming for his team’spoor performance. “Brookhaven has a fine ballclub and we hadhomecoming. We couldn’t get our team ready to play.”

Perkins returned the second half kickoff 27 yards to his 37-yardline. On second down, he ran left end and went 63 yards to the endzone. It was 34-0 with 10:37 left in the third frame.

The Bulldawgs were backed up deep in their own territory afterBrookhaven’s Daniel Boyd sent the kickoff into the end zone.Working in the shotgun formation, the snap sailed over the Terryquarterback’s head and was recovered at the 2-yard line.

Allen returned the punt 16-yards to the Terry 16. He gained 15yards on first down and scored on the next play.

Brister’s PAT kick was blocked and Brookhaven led 48-0 with 9:03left in the third quarter.

“This is our homecoming,” proclaimed Brookhaven defensive endPerry Brumfield as the Panthers celebrated the lopsided win. “Ourdefense did a good job tonight.”

Going against Brookhaven reserves in the fourth quarter,Kendricks finally scored on a 23-yard run. Josh Sheppard’s PAT kickwas successful and the Bulldawgs trailed 48-7.

@Bbstandings:

STATISTICS

B T

First Downs 10 13

Rushes-Yards 38-309 43-193

Passing Yards 41 10

Total Yards 350 203

Passes 1-1-0 1-5-0

Fumbles-Lost 1-1 6-5

Punts-Average 2.37.5 3-22.5

Penalties-Yards 7-65 0-0

Brookhaven 14 14 20 0 – 48

Terry 0 0 0 7 – 7

FIRST QUARTER

Brookhaven, Allen 40 fumble return (Brister kick),8:50.

Brookhaven, T. Williams 73 run (Brister kick),1:07.

SECOND QUARTER

Brookhaven, F. Perkins 13 run (kick failed),9:56.

Brookhaven, Anderson 8 run (Wilson pass from Perkins),1:30.

THIRD QUARTER

Brookhaven, F. Perkins 63 run (kick failed),10:57.

Brookhaven, Flynn 41 pass from F. Perkins (Flynn run),9:03.

Brookhaven, Allen 1 run (kick failed),5:27.

FOURTH QUARTER

Terry, Kendricks 23 run (Sheppard kick),7:21.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING: Brookhaven, T. Williams 4-102, F. Perkins 6-81,Allen 10-55, Anderson 6-40, Wilson 4-22, Nickelson 3-14, McArthur3-(minus 2), Parker 2-(minus 3). Terry, Kendricks 22-119, Bridges1-62, Wesley 13-24, Fortson 3-10, Knight 2-0, Evans 1-(minus 17),Gray 1-(minus 5).

PASSING: Brookhaven. F. Perkins 1-1-0, 41. Terry, Evans1-1-0, 10; B. Mack 0-1-0, Bridges 0-3-0.

RECEIVING: Brookhaven, Flynn 1-41. Terry, J. Mack1-10.