Brookhaven is home to one of the only NFL/Pepsi Punt, Pass &Kick competitions south of Jackson, and Recreation Departmentofficials are reminding area youth that this is their chance to seewhat they’re made of.

The competition, in which children ages 8-16 are allowed to showwhat kind of arms and legs they have, will take place on BrookhavenHigh School’s football field Saturday at 9 a.m. It is free to bothboys and girls.

“We had a girl that won last year and went to New Orleans to thesectionals, and she won there and got to go on to Nationals,”Recreation Department Director Terry Reid said. “We’ve sent a girlto sectionals almost every year, and we even had one girl go likethree years in a row.”

The children are broken up into age groups, against whom theycompete for distance and accuracy in throwing, kicking and punting,Reid said. Meanwhile, any child within the allowed age range isinvited to compete, no matter where they’re from.

“Any kid can compete, not just those from our city,” Reid said.”We’re the only competition south of Jackson that I know of. Anykid that wants to come is welcome, no matter where they’refrom.”

And, Reid said, you never know who you’re going to see there.Some local kids who have become standouts later have been known tocompete in the Punt, Pass & Kick competition at BrookhavenHigh.

“Jimmy Johns went to this when he was a high school kid,” hesaid. “We’ve had a bunch who have gone on from here and done reallywell.”

Children can sign up Friday at the Recreation Department, orSaturday morning at the gate, and a parental signature is requiredfor a child to participate.

Beyond that, though, parents and spectators are invited to stayfor the fun. Reid said the event usually lasts about two hours.

“This is always a fun time for everyone, and it always goes overreally well,” Reid said.