South Pike’s defense didn’t record a third straight shutout butthe Eagles still maintained a strong steel curtain Friday night onKing Field. Brookhaven was held to its lowest offensive productionof the season and the Panthers fell to Region 6-4A leader SouthPike 22-8.

While the Panthers struggled offensively, South Pike was gettinganother standout performance from sophomore tailback Jessie Burtonwho raced 77 yards for the game’s first touchdown and tacked on a33-yard punt return for a TD in the fourth quarter. Burton (5-8,152) rushed the football 15 times for 142 yards.

“Jessie has come along and done well,” said South Pike headcoach Greg Wall. “He was our wingback until (Quentrelle) Green gothurt two weeks ago.

“Jessie has averaged over 120 yards (rushing),” Wall pointedout. “He made some big plays for us tonight. If he keeps workinghard, he could become a great player.”

Wall was greeted by several Brookhaven fans at midfield afterthe game. He exchanged handshakes and hugs. Wall had served as headcoach and athletic director at Brookhaven for five years beforereturning to South Pike last spring, where he had coached the 25previous years.

“Our defense played well tonight,” said Wall. “Coach (Randall)Huffman did a good job putting in new schemes in practice.

“Brookhaven did a good job and it was a hard-fought game,” Wallcontinued. “I’m glad it’s over.”

South Pike (7-1, 4-0) is ranked No. 10 in the latest AssociatedPress Prep Poll. The Eagles’ defense limited Brookhaven to just 37yards rushing and 144 yards total offense.

Trailing 22-0 in the fourth quarter, the Panthers finally brokethe ice when quarterback Billy Williams hooked up with tailbackCornelius Allen on a 63-yard scorning toss. Williams passed toAllen on the 2-point conversion and it was 22-8 with 5:57 left inthe game.

Brookhaven (5-3, 3-2) managed just one first down and 37 yardsoffense the first half. South Pike held an 8-0 halftime lead on thelong scoring run by Burton and senior quarterback JonathanBrumfield’s 2-point conversion run.

“We had horrible field position,” said Brookhaven head coachAndrew Hickman. “I think we played 90 percent of the game insideour 50.”

Brookhaven’s defense grew weary as the game progressed. On thefirst play of the fourth quarter, Williams was forced to hurry apunt from his end zone and Burton fielded the line drive on abounce at Brookhaven’s 33. Burton cut to his right and received anescort down the sideline.

On the ensuing kickoff, a trick play backfired on Brookhaven,Williams fielded the kickoff at the 20-yard line and attempted alateral pass to freshman Darius Perkins. The football bounced infront of Perkins and was recovered by South Pike’s Garrick Burtonat the Brookhaven 31.

The Eagles needed 8 plays to reach the end zone. Bruisingfullback John Lowery (5-11, 215) plunged the final 2 yards overright tackle. Brumfield ran the conversion and South Pike led22-zip with 7:52 left in the game.

“You can’t leave a defense out there that long,” said Hickman.They got tired.”

Brookhaven limited South Pike to 248 yards offense, 190 comingon the ground.. Brumfield (2-9-2) was intercepted twice as EmmanuelPerkins and Williams picked off passes in the first half.

Brumfield averaged 40.8 yards on 5 punts, keeping the Panthersin poor field position.

“I think we are capable of playing a lot better,” said Hickman.”South Pike is quick on defense. We need to pass the ballmore.”

Panther receivers dropped 3 passes and Williams was interceptedonce by South Pike’s Brandon Britt with less than a minute left inthe game.

Brookhaven has an open date this week before traveling toLawrence County, Nov. 2 for a region test in the regular seasonfinale. South Pike visits Port Gibson this week and returns home tohost McComb Nov. 2.

@Bbstandings:STATISTICS

SP

B

First Downs

10

5

Rushes-Yards

48-190

27-37

Passing Yards

58

107

Total Yards

248

144

Passes

2-9-2

6-13-1

Fumbles-Lost

2-1

5-2

Punts-Average

5-40.8

9-31.2

Penalties-Yards

8-85

1-5

South Pike

0

8

0

14 – 22

Brookhaven

0

0

0

8- 8

SECOND QUARTER

South Pike, Burton 77 run (Brumfield run),6:15.

FOURTH QUARTER

South Pike, Burton 33 punt return (run failed),11:48

South Pike, Lowery 2 run (Brumfield run),7:59.

Brookhaven, Allen 63 pass from Williams (Allen pass fromWilliams), 5:57.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: South Pike, Burton 15-142, Lowery 19-66, Green2-12, Brumfield 10-(-25), Magee 1-(-4), McGhee 1-(-1). Brookhaven,Anderson 9-32, Allen 9-11, Williams 9-(-6).

PASSING: South Pike, Brumfield 2-8-2, 58. Jones 0-1-0.Brookhaven, Williams 6-13-1, 107.

RECEIVING: South Pike, Forrest 2-58. Brookhaven, Allen2-75, Downs 1-19, Maxwell 1-15, Anderson 2-(-2).