MONTICELLO – Panther quarterback Jimmy Johns and his Brookhaventeammates were on a mission Friday night. Johns provided someheroics rushing and throwing the football, accounting for 218 yardstotal offense, as the Panthers turned back Lawrence County’sCougars 14-7 in a Region 6-4A showdown.

The victory secured first place in the region race for thePanthers (8-2, 6-0), enabling them to host a first round game ofthe state playoffs. They’ll meet Pearl River Central Friday nighton King Field. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

“This win is very big for us,” said Johns, a 6-foot-2, 220-poundjunior. “It was very emotional. We came out to win and we knew itwould be tough.”

With 57 seconds left in the game, the Panthers were clinging toa 7-point lead at the Brookhaven 16-yard line when Johns brokeloose on a third-down, 66-yard scamper to the Cougars’ 18-yardline. That play killed any hope of a last-minute Cougarcomeback.

Johns and his teammates had dedicated the game to tight endMichael Thrasher who was injured in an auto accident last Saturday.Thrasher had suffered a collapsed lung and broken bones in hisback.

Players wore a piece of white tape on the backs of their helmetswith 85, Thrasher’s jersey number, printed upon it.

“We were playing for Michael tonight,” said BHS head coachTucker Peavey. “We wanted to take the game ball to him. That wasour mission.”

Peavey said he was pleased with the performance of his squad asthey rebounded from last week’s 20-16 loss at Laurel. It was ahard-fought game. I’m proud of our team. We were on the road and weplayed hard.”

Lawrence County (8-2, 4-2) was knocked out of second place bythe loss because South Pike (8-2, 4-2) beat McComb (6-4, 3-3) 28-21Friday night. The Eagles were granted the region runners-up spotbecause they beat the Cougars 21-14 earlier in the season.

The Cougars travel to Laurel Friday night for the first round ofthe playoffs while South Pike hosts Petal. McComb travels to GeorgeCounty, the Region 7-4A champion.

A crowd estimated at 3,000 (2,700 paid) watched the Pantherstake an early lead over Lawrence County, scoring on their firstpossession of the game. They marched 68 yards in 8 plays, scoringon a 24-yard dash by junior speedster Ronnie McNulty.

Will Thibodeaux kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead and 4:06left in the first quarter.

Working out of their Wing-T offense, the Cougars replied with a72-yard march which required 13 plays. Wingback Michael Thompsonrushed 5 times for 58 yards in the drive which ended withquarterback Casey Williams scoring on a 1-yard sneak.

Justin Stamps kicked the tying extra point and it was 7-7 with7:10 left in the first half.

A 41-yard TD pass from Johns to Bud Chatman was wiped out by apenalty just before halftime. Stamps attempted a 47-yard field goalwhich was wide and short left with 1 second left on the clock.

In the third quarter, got a 12-yard kickoff return from Chatmanto set up a 9-play, 56-yard touchdown drive. A 23-yard completionfrom Johns to John Wayne Havard set up McNulty’s 1-yard plunge.Thibodeaux’s PAT put the Panthers up 14-7.

“We turned it up a notch and made some adjustments at halftime,”said Brookhaven linebacker Jason Dixon. “(Cougars) were hurting uson speed but we made some adjustments.”

Brookhaven’s defense flexed its muscles and the Cougars didn’tcross midfield until late in the fourth quarter. After a 32-yardscamper by Chris Jefferson, they realized another first down atBrookhaven’s 30-yard line when Williams connected with Thompson foran 18-yard gainer.

Following an illegal procedure penalty against the Cougars,Williams hooked up with tight end Marlon Stanfield for a 20-yardgain. But Stanfield fumbled as he struggled for extra yards andJarvis Wilson recovered with 1:07 left in the game.

“Our kids have nothing to hang their heads about,” said LCHShead coach Trent Hammond. “We were picked to finish fifth in theregion and here we were playing for first place.

“It was a hard-fought football game. It reminded me of twoheavyweight fighters just slugging it out. Brookhaven was big andphysical. We gave it our best shot.”