MAGNOLIA — Charles Wilson made his presence felt on Colee FieldFriday night. Brookhaven’s hard-running senior accounted for 187rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, directing the Panthers to a 20-0shutout win over South Pike’s Eagles.

Wilson (5-9, 180) helped the Panthers (1-1) dominate the gamewith his 32 rushes. On defense, Brookhaven slammed the door on theEagles (0-2), producing a pair of strong stands inside the 20-yardline and limiting the hosts to 160 yards total offense.

“We were focused,” said Wilson. “I just looked for the holes andmade my move. The blocking was good. My offensive line and Godhelped me.”

Wilson had sat out the first half of last week’s game againstFranklin County for disciplinary reasons. He and his teammates cameback strong from the 35-34 overtime loss.

Senior safety R.J. Jenkins said the Panthers were on a missionand they accomplished their goal. “We concentrated on containment.Our defense let us down last week. Coach (Rod) Henderson and thedefense worked hard in practice this week and we were ready.”

Derrick Ross, South Pike’s all-state wide receiver, was limitedto 4 receptions for 44 yards. The Panthers applied plenty ofpressure on Eagle senior quarterback Travorrous Marsalis, tacklinghim 7 times behind the line of scrimmage for losses totaling 34yards.

Panther defensive end Larry Winters led a hard-charging line. Hehad 2 quarterback sacks and Jerrell Buie intercepted a pass.

In the first quarter, Buie’s interception at the BHS 32 set upan 8-play, 68-yard scoring drive. Wilson swept right end from 3yards out, escorted by a wall of blockers. Will Thibodeaux kickedthe PAT for a 7-0 lead with 3:55 left to play.

Thibodeaux would add field goals of 32 and 28 yards in thevictory.

In the second quarter, Brook’s defense stopped South Pike at thePanthers’ 17-yard line with 3:44 left in the first half. Thatlaunched a hurry-up 83-yard scoring drive, highlighted byquarterback Charles (Bobo) Rancifer’s completions of 30 yards toJake Williams and 25 yards to Simmie Yarborough. Wilson’s secondquarter TD came on a 1-yard plunge over left tackle, with 19seconds showing on the clock.

Brook led 17-0 at halftime.

Panther head coach Tucker Peavey said he was pleased with histeam’s victory but saw plenty of room for improvement. “It’s niceto win. Offensively, we didn’t get it done in the second half.

“We kept the ball but didn’t get it in the end zone,” he added.”Our receivers have to step it up and hang onto the football.”

Rancifer completed 6 of 12 passes for 125 yards. Yarboroughcaught 4 balls for 85 yards.

South Pike head coach Randall Huffman watched his team goscoreless in a second straight game after losing 7-0 to McComb inthe season opener. Neither his offense nor the public addresssystem was working Friday night.

“Brookhaven has a good offensive ballclub,” said Huffman. “Weonly had one (starter) back on defense.

“We were flat the first half and stood around,” Huffmancontinued. “We have to be more consistent.”

Huffman’s Eagles visit Vicksburg Warren Central next. Brookhavenhosts unbeaten Clinton Friday night on King Field.