It’s homecoming at Brookhaven High School and the Panthers hostPearl River Central Friday night. The Panthers hope to reward thelarge, partisan home crowd with a victory celebration. Kickoff is 7p.m. on King Field.

Brookhaven (2-3, 0-2) is hunting its first Region 3-5A victorysince realignment last spring. Pearl River Central (0-6, 0-2) issearching for its first victory of the season. The Blue Devils arefresh from a 45-0 home field loss to region foe Stone County.

Ole Brook head coach Tucker Peavey’s Panthers are regroupingafter a 45-7 region setback at Wayne County in Waynesboro. Theywere trampled for over 600 yards total offense by the No. 2-rankedWar Eagles.

Peavey said his Panthers are preparing for a wide-open PRCattack. “Offensively, they run a spread offense. They have a goodlittle running game. Their quarterback throws the ball good.”

Quarterbacking the Devils is sophomore Bryce Spence (5-8, 160).Jeremy Weir whose 2008 squad posted a 2-7 record coaches them. Theteam is based in Carriere, north of Picayune.

Peavey said his team must prepare for a gambling PRC defense.”They like to blitz and apply a lot of pressure.”

Peavey said linebacker Dustin Wactor (5-8, 165, sr.), plays astrong safety or an outside linebacker slot for the Devils. Wactorwears No. 57 jersey and “makes a lot of tackles for them.”

Homecoming is special to Peavey who is in his eighth year at thehelm. He’s a 1980 BHS graduate.

Panthers On The Mend

“We still have some bumps and bruises,” said Peavey, recountinghis team’s loss to Wayne County. “We must be more consistent onoffense and defense. We have to line up and carry out theassignments consistently.”

Players of the Week for the Wayne County game were strong safetyJeffery Newton on defense and placekicker Dewey Stailey on specialteams. Newton was credited with 7 solo tackles and a caused fumble.Cordai Henderson followed with 4 tackles and 1 assist.

Offensively, the Panthers got 72 yards rushing from DuwoneHarris, including a 20-yard TD run. Harris completed 4 of 17 passesfor 33 yards. E.J. Henderson caught 2 passes for 23 yards.

Senior running back Semmie Smith followed Harris with 66 rushingyards on 7 carries. Travorius Showers gained 36 yards and IsaiahWhite 35.

Brook’s offensive line starters are Sam Ballard and DerrickHenderson at tackle, Mitch Case at center, Tameus Hooker and WillFurr at guard and Nick Peavey at tight end.

Panther Paws: BHS hasn’t played Pearl River Central since the2003 season when the Panthers posted a 35-20 win over the Devils inthe opening round of the Class 4A state playoffs here on KingField.