Brookhaven’s Fred Perkins is the last person to brag about hisaccomplishments. The soft-spoken senior quarterback exceeded allexpectations and drew rave reviews in the 2000 campaign, leadingthe Panthers to a surprising runners-up finish in the Division 6-4Arace and a berth in the state playoffs.

Perkins, moved from wide receiver/tight end to quarterback whenpreseason practice began in early August, displayed determination,leadership and dedication in learning a new position, also known asthe most demanding position on a football team.

He led the Panthers to a 7-3 record, using his size (6-2, 210)speed (4.5 in the 40) and quickness to spark his team to success inwhat was considered a major rebuilding year. For hisaccomplishments, Perkins has been selected The Daily Leader’sPlayer of the Year on the 2000 All-Lincoln County FootballTeam.

Senior linebacker Ron Mackabee of Brookhaven is theDefensive Player of the Year. Senior quarterback Jake Sessums ofBrookhaven Academy is the Offensive Player of the Year on the dreamteam selected by the Leader’s sports department.

Joining Perkins and Sessums in the offensive backfield arerunning backs Cornelius Allen of Brookhaven and Shermaine Vaughn ofEnterprise. The wide receivers are Chase Coley of Loyd Star andGrant Case of Brookhaven Academy.

The offensive line includes Randy Jackson, Rayshon Autman andKern Hoff of Brookhaven, David Posey of Loyd Star and ErnieJohnston of Bogue Chitto.

Brandon Achord of Brookhaven Academy is the placekicker andDemarcus Barnes of Loyd Star is the return specialist.

On defense, Mackabee is joined at linebacker by Cody Covingtonand Casey Warren of Loyd Star and John Wallace of Bogue Chitto.

The defensive line includes Don Expose of Brookhaven, DustinKing of Brookhaven Academy, Brent Boyd of Enterprise and Adam Speegof Loyd Star.

The defensive secondary features Thomas Barlow of Brookhaven,Reynald Skipper of Enterprise and Seth Britt of Loyd Star. Thepunter is Blake Wall of Loyd Star.

Fred Perkins rushed for 885 yards and 17 touchdowns thisseason as he ran the option with authority. He passed for one TD.He also had an 83-yard kickoff return for a TD.

Perkins has drawn attention from several major colleges.He is being recruited as a wide receiver or defensive back. He made16 tackles in Brookhaven’s playoff game againstGautier.

“I would prefer playing wide receiver in college but Iwouldn’t have a problem with defensive back,” said Perkins. He madean official visit to the University of Southern Mississippi earlierthis month. In January, he has campus visits scheduled for Tulane,LSU, Tennessee and Mississippi State.

Perkins, who plays outfield for the Panthers during thebaseball season, might play both sports in college.

Brookhaven head coach Greg Wall said Perkins, chosen BHSteam MVP last week, has been blessed with athletic ability. “Fredis a good one. He’s definitely one of the most gifted athletes tocome through Brookhaven.

“He’s also one of the most unselfish people I’ve evercoached,” Wall pointed out. “I’m sure he will excel in college orwherever he goes.”

Jake Sessums (5-10, 155, sr.), an All-County quarterbacklast year, was a key to Brookhaven Academy’s success. He passed for1793 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushed for 565 yards and 12 TDs asCoach Doug Clanton’s Cougars finished 6-5. Sessums was selected toplay in the MPSA All-Star Game.

Shermaine Vaughn (6-1, 185, jr. ), led Coach RickyDeere’s Enterprise Yellow Jackets to a 6-4 record. He rushed for1,052 yards and 13 touchdowns. He caught 7 passes for 92 yards andhad 20 returns for 680 yards and 2 TDs. He was chosen Most ValuableOffensive Player in Division 7-1A.

Cornelius Allen (5-8, 180, jr.) gave the Panthers a fastand elusive running back. He rushed for 889 yards and 9TDs.

Grant Case (6-2, 185, sr.) caught 25 passes for 545yards and 4 TDs for the BA Cougars.

Chase Coley (5-9, 175, sr.) was a threat rushing andcatching the football at Loyd Star. He caught 16 passes for 448yards. He rushed for 320 yards and had 21 returns for 452yards.

Demarcus Barnes (5-10, 170, jr.) used his blazing speedat running back and wide receiver. He caught 7 passes for 116 yardsand rushed for 480 yards. He also had 10 kickoff returns for 232yards, a 23-yard average, helping Loyd Star make the Class 2A stateplayoffs.

Randy Jackson (6-2, 230, sr.) was a senior leader onBrookhaven’s offensive line. “Randy had good technique and hedidn’t make mistakes,”said Coach Wall.

Ernie Johnston (6-5, 298, jr.) helped lead the BogueChitto Bobcats to a 5-7 record and a berth in the Class 1A stateplayoffs. “Ernie made a tremendous amount of progress,” said BogueChitto coach Carl Cole. “He moves well and finishesplays.”

Kern Hoff (6-2, 230, jr.) was another Brookhaven leader,playing offense and defense. “We used Kern at guard because he hasquick feet,” said Coach Wall.

David Posey (6-0, 275, sr.) had a strong work ethic ashe helped lead Loyd Star to an 8-3 record and a runner-up finish inthe Division 6-2A race. “David became a good player because he wasso dedicated in the weight room,” said Loyd Star coach AnthonyHart. “He’s one of our strongest players and he’s very smart,”making a 28 on his ACT.

Rayshon Autman (6-5, 276, jr.) was one of the largestplayers on Brookhaven’s team, playing offense and defense. “Rayshonreally came on and did a good job,” said Coach Wall. “His size is afactor.”

Brandon Achord (5-10, 150, sr.) converted 24 of 28 extrapoint kicks and hit a 27-yard field goal this season for theCougars.

DEFENSIVE DREAM TEAM

Ron Mackabee (5-9, 175, sr.) played with intensity andled the Panthers in tackles with 99 stops. He received theHeadhunter Award at the BHS banquet. He was quick to share creditwith his teammates. “Basically, the defensive line takes on theoffensive line and that enables me to make thetackle.”

BHS defensive coordinator Randall Huffman said Mackabeewas an asset to the team. “Ron works hard and he had some big gamesfor us. He has a knack for finding the football and he’s full-speedwhen he gets there.”

Cody Covington (6-1, 205, jr.) led Loyd Star in tackleswith 137 stops and intercepted 1 pass.

John Wallace (6-1, 205, jr.) was one of Bogue Chitto’sleading tacklers and he overcame an early season injury when hepinched a nerve in his neck.

Casey Warren (6-1, 190, sr.) was a leader on Loyd Star’sdefense, making 99 tackles.

Don Expose (6-2, 215, sr.) starred at defensive end forthe Panthers and was an emotional leader. He made 59 tackles,including 2 sacks.

Dustin King (6-1, 185, sr.) accounted for 60 tackles and2 blocked punts at Brookhaven Academy.

Brent Boyd (6-1, 205, sr.) collected 38 tackles and 4sacks at Enterprise. He also was credited with causing 2safeties.

Adam Speeg (6-3, 210, jr.) accounted for 89 tackles asLoyd Star made the state playoffs.

Thomas Barlow (5-8, 145, sr.) used his quickness to makemany tackles behind the line of scrimmage for Brookhaven He wascredited with 50 tackles.

Reynald Skipper (6-4, 170, sr.) leads the county with 7interceptions for Enterprise.

Seth Britt (6-0, 180, jr.) was a force in Loyd Star’ssecondary. He intercepted 4 passes and was credited with 72tackles.

Blake Wall (6-1, 230, so.) provided a strong leg forLoyd Star. He averaged 35.5 yards per punt.