Brookhaven’s Shamonte Brooks, a junior outside linebacker/strongsafety, had a busy night when the Panthers played archrivalLawrence County. He accounted for 6 solo tackles, 4 assists and aforced fumble as the Panthers defeated Lawrence County 27-20.

For his performance, Brooks has been selected The DAILY LEADER’sDefensive Player of the Week.

Ole Brook head coach Tucker Peavey said Brooks has a strong workethic in practice and it pays dividends on Friday night. “Shamonteis a hard worker. He’s a try-hard guy. He really wants to dowell.”

As a team, the Panthers were fired up and wanted to play wellagainst Lawrence County. They had not forgotten last year’s 63-21loss on King Field.

“It was payback time,” said Brooks, a thin smile crossing hisface. “Our defense could have played better but it was a goodgame.”

Brooks (6-1, 163), the 17-year-old son of Veronica Brooks, liveswith his grandmother, Daisy Thomas. He has 3 sisters and ahalf-brother.

He started playing organized football in the Brookhaven PeeweeLeague and was a running back for the Gold Team. He moved tolinebacker in the seventh grade at Alexander.

“I like to hit people,” answered Brooks when asked about hispreference for defense. “I have to play my assignments, wrap up ontackles and don’t get blocked.”

Brooks said BHS defensive coordinator Kelby Bowman had a goodgame plan to stop Lawrence County’s explosive rushing attack. “Iwas just doing what I was told to do.”

He shared credit with his defensive teammates. They are linemenJawaun Merchant and Joseph Owens at tackle, Cordai Henderson andEdward Gutter at end, Jacoby Cooper and Kalen Calcote atlinebacker, Devonte Stewart and Isaiah Williams at cornerback,Chris Seals at free safety and Jeffery Newton at strong safety.

“I think we can get better on defense,” said Brookspredicted.

Brooks said he wouldn’t mind seeing some playing time at widereceiver, too. He bench presses 235 pounds and squats with 345.

A member of the BHS track team, Brooks runs the 4×100 relay andthe 100-meter dash. His favorite football player is former BHS andMississippi State defensive tackle Jessie Bowman.

The Panthers have an open date this week before facing Region3-5A powerhouse West Jones on King Field. Brooks said the open dategives his team a chance to heal and rest before starting regionplay.