Homecoming is a special occasion and Brookhaven promotes thefestivities with extra enthusiasm. The Panthers (5-1, 3-0), rankedNo. 18 in this week’s Associated Press Prep Poll, host Region 6-4Arival Terry (2-4, 0-2) tomorrow night on King Field. Kickoff is7:30 and the presentation of the homecoming court begins at 7.

Fresh from an impressive 41-7 triumph over the McComb Tigers,Brookhaven’s team is riding a 4-game victory streak and holdingdown first place in the division. Brookhaven head coach TuckerPeavey wants his team to take care of business tomorrow night andthen begin the homecoming celebration.

“It’s another region game. We are trying to get ourselves in theplayoffs,” said Peavey. Region 6 will face Region 5 in the firstround of state playoffs Nov. 7. The first and second place teamshost opening round games while the third and fourth place teamsmust travel.

Terry, under the direction of second-year head coach JackieWilliamson, continues to struggle in region play. The Bulldogs weredefeated 43-14 by South Pike last week. Two weeks ago they lost22-19 at Class 2A Wesson.

Terry opened its season with a 21-14 win over Raymond anddefeated Yazoo County 40-14 two weeks later. The Bulldogs also lostto Franklin County 17-0 and Jim Hill 44-20.

Peavey said he has seen improvement in the Bulldogs whenreviewing their game films. “Terry is a lot better team than theywere a year ago. Their offense does a good job of misdirection andrunning the football.

“Defensively, they like to blitz and try to put pressure on you.They try to create some bad situations for the offense.”

In what Peavey considers “probably our best performance onoffense this season,” the Panthers overwhelmed McComb in C.C. MooreStadium. They accounted for nearly 400 yards total offense, rushingfor 180 yards and passing for 210.

Junior quarterback Jimmy Johns enjoyed an impressive night,completing 13 of 16 passes for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns. Widereceiver Taurean Jones led the way with 4 catches for 60 yards and1 TD. John Wayne Havard had 2 catches for 53 yards and a TD. BudChatman caught 2 passes for 44 yards and a TD.

Brookhaven’s rushing attack also was strong. Dominique Smithgained 96 yards on 16 carries and scored a TD. Ronnie McNulty had16 rushes for 93 yards.

Defensively, the Panthers nearly shut down McComb’s rushingattack, allowing just 15 yards on 28 rushes. They allowed 156passing yards but Jarvis Wilson and Tyrone Jones interceptedpasses.

Jones scored a touchdown on defense after Aljur Herring blockeda McComb punt. Wilson finished with 6 tackles. Linemen PhilipTobias and Jessie Bowman both had 5 tackles.

“We did a good job of executing against McComb,” said Peavey.”Our defense really stepped up because we put them in a badsituation twice so we kept them out of the end zone.

“Everybody on offense played a good game except for that littlelull in the second quarter,” Peavey continued. “It was probably thebest performance of the year on offense.”

Brookhaven’s weekly team awards were revealed by Peavey. Onoffense, it was Johns. Defense went to Wilson and special teams toMcNulty.

Panther Paws: Last year the Panthers whippedTerry 52-10. Brookhaven’s 2003 state championship tennis team willbe honored at halftime. Team members will be presented withchampionship rings.