The Ole Brook Panthers presented homecoming queen Amanda Byrdwith a convincing Friday night victory on King Field. Scoringnearly at will in the first half, Ole Brook roared to a 49-6triumph over the Florence Eagles in Region 6-4A action.

Directing the rout was sophomore quarterback Charles (Bobo)Rancifer who ran for 2 touchdowns and passed for 1 as the Panthers(2-3, 1-1) took a 42-0 halftime lead on a cool, clear night.Running back Charles Wilson ran 9 yards for a TD after a fumblerecovery by Orlandas Chapman on Florence’s first offensive play.Wilson later took a 27-yard TD pass from Rancifer.

Senior linebacker Marlon Dixon enjoyed the victory more thanmost players. He scooped up a blocked punt and returned it 15 yardsfor a TD, pushing the Panthers ahead 35-zip.

“It felt good,” said Dixon. “T.J. Qualls blocked the punt but itgot away from me. Then I was able to get it back.

“One of my goals as a senior was to score one touchdown,” Dixonadded. “We wanted to win homecoming for the seniors.”

For Dixon and his teammates, the next task is a big one, facingthe unbeaten (6-0, 2-0) Terry Bulldogs on King Field.

Ole Brook head coach Tucker Peavey, a 1980 BHS graduate, saidhomecoming week went well. He pulled his starting units after thefirst half assault on the Eagles.

“We have been preaching about scoring a touchdown on defense orwith our kicking game,” said Peavey. “I was proud of see Marlonscore. We need to score points in other parts of our game.”

Florence quarterback Donald Garrett (6-2, 205, jr.) got off to arocky start, fumbling the first snap. On the Eagles’ nextpossession, Garrett fumbled at his 19-yard line and Dixonrecovered.

Wilson ripped off 16 yards on first down and Rancifer went theremaining distance on second down. Will Thibodeaux booted hissecond of 7 extra points.

Ta’Virus Lewis ran 5 yards around right end to cap a 50-yardscoring drive. A 35-yard punt return by Anthony Caffie ignited the10-play march late in the first quarter.

Ole Brook scored 3 second-quarter touchdowns. Rancifer ran 22yards for a TD after hooking up with sophomore wide receiver JakeWilliams for 39 yards and a first down. Dixon scored on the fumblereturn and Wilson took a screen pass 27 yards, making it 42-zipwith 1:46 left in the first half.

Peavey said he was happy to see defensive end Larry Winters inaction again. Winters had torn an ACL and under went knee surgeryMay 19.

“Larry got medical clearance Monday,” said Peavey. “We used himabout six plays.”

Winters, wearing a protective knee brace, said he was happy tobe playing again. “My knee felt good.”

The Eagles (0-6, 0-3) managed a third-quarter touchdown on a54-yard pass from Garrett to David Stewart. Garrett was 6-for-6passing in the game but he was tackled 5 times behind the line ofscrimmage for losses totaling 56 yards.

As a team, the Eagles encountered an inspired defense. They wereroughed up and finished with 23 rushes for a minus-29 yards..

“Brookhaven has a great team,” said Florence coach DennisThompson. “I can’t believe they were 1-3.

“Right now, we are not very good,” Thompson added. “We have along way to go.”

Senior running back Patrick Ayers accomplished a touchdown dreamon homecoming night, scoring Ole Brook’s final TD on a 1-yard runwith 23 seconds left to play.