Ron Mackabee has made a home at middle linebacker and opponentsrecognize his talents. The Terry Bulldawgs were ready to adoptMackabee Friday night after he made 13 tackles in Brookhaven’s 48-7triumph at Terry.

For his performance, Mackabee has been selected The DailyLeader’s Defensive Player of the Week for the 10th week of the 2000campaign.

Mackabee has been an integral part of Brookhaven’ssurprising success story this year. He is a quiet leader on adefense which has helped the Panthers compile a 6-2 record and a3-1 mark in Division 6-4A.

“People weren’t looking for us to win six games but weplayed hard and came together as a team,” said Mackabee. “Theplayers knew what they had to do. They just stepped up and didit.”

Mackabee has the kind of attitude required for a Nikecommercial. Just do it. He gets the job done atlinebacker.

Brookhaven head coach Greg Wall recognizes Mackabee’spotential. “Ron is a kind of a quiet guy. He doesn’t say much andhe doesn’t show a lot of emotion. He’s a steady player who leads byaction.”

Mackabee wasn’t eligible as a junior due to academicproblems but he has worked had in the classroom and maintainedeligibility. He had an impressive spring practice.

“Ron’s a senior but he hasn’t had a lot of game experience,”Wall pointed out. “He’s a strong kid and he runs well. He caught onreal well to the schemes. He does a good job of running playsdown.

“Ron has a lot of ability and he runs well,” Wall continued.”He’s probably as good as anybody I’ve had to have so littleexperience.”

Since the seventh grade, Mackabee has been playinglinebacker. “I like taking on blockers and making tackles,” saidMackabee. His favorite play on defense is Double-Barrel, “when bothlinebackers stunt.”

Mackabee said he wanted to share the defensive award withhis teammates. “They deserve a share of it. They do an excellentjob.”

Brookhaven’s defensive line includes Nick Smith at noseguard, Steven Lloyd and Daniel Walker at tackle. Don Expose andPerry Brumfield are at end.

Raphael Smith joins Mackabee at linebacker. The cornerbacksare Thomas Barlow and Marcus Foxworth. Emanuel Perkins starts atfree safety.

Brookhaven’s defense did an exceptional job of stoppingTerry’s big fullback, 245-pound Bobby “The Train” Kendricks. Hedidn’t score until the fourth quarter and that was againstBrookhaven reserves.

“You have to tackle him low,” explained Mackabee.

Mackabee said he would like to play college football. Hisfavorite subject is math.

Asked about his favorite college team, Mackabee smiled andsaid he liked Virginia Tech and All-American quarterback MichaelVick. He enjoys watching Steve McNair and the Tennessee Titans onSunday.

Brookhaven and Lawrence County are tied for second place inthe Division 6-4A race. The winner of Friday night’s showdown onKing Field advances to the state playoffs.

“Lawrence County is in our way and we have to beat them tomake the playoffs,” said Mackabee. “They have a pretty goodteam.

“Everybody is going to have to play well for us to beatthem,” Mackabee continued. “We have the home fieldadvantage.”