Ole Brook in Senior Night
Published 6:00 am Thursday, November 5, 2009
It’s Senior Night on King Field and the Brookhaven Panthers wantto make it a happy occasion before and after their game with theForest Hill Patriots. Friday night’s kickoff is 7 p.m. for thefinal regular-season game.
“Our seniors are good guys,” said Peavey. “They have helped usachieve a lot.”
In a pregame ceremony, starting at 6:30, Ole Brook’s 12 seniors,1 manager and their parents will be recognized at the 50-yard line.Senior Panthers include Semmie Smith, Isaiah White, IsaiahWilliams, Jeff Newton, Austin Barnett, Joseph Owens, Will Furr,James Michael Patti, Derrick Henderson, Jacob Franklin, PatrickValentine, Cordai Henderson, and manager Trey Magee.
The Panthers (5-4, 3-3) want to take care of business beforeentering the Class 5A state playoffs next Friday. They are riding a2-game victory streak after beating archrival McComb 28-12 lastFriday on rain-soaked King Field.
“We want to stay on our winning streak,” said Peavey. His No.4-seeded team out of Region 3-5A will face the winner of tomorrownight’s Moss Point-Gautier game on the road next Friday.
Forest Hill (4-6, 1-5) won its first 3 games of the seasonbefore losing 23-14 to Jackson Callaway. The Patriots rebounded tobeat Pearl River Central 30-6 before losing 5 straight, includinglast week’s home- field, 37-6 loss to region foe Stone County.
Forest Hill quarterback Isiah James has come back after missingseveral games. James (5-11, 175, jr.) can run and throw thefootball.
“They (Patriots) do a good job throwing the ball and catchingit,” said Peavey. Wide receiver Zachary Pendleton (6-3, 175, sr.),wearing jersey No. 2, is their primary receiver. “They have severalguys who can catch it.”
The Patriots are under the direction of Jackson State graduateMario Lane who is in his fifth year at the helm. Defensively, theyare led by inside linebacker Patrick Black, 6-1, 210, sr.) who hasbeen selected to play in the Mississippi-Alabama All-StarClassic.
Lane had hopes of his team improving on last year’s 7-4worksheet but new residence in powerful Region 3-5A took its tollon the Patriots.
Panthers Honored
Peavey said he and his staff would continue honoring the entireteam as Players of the Week since beating Stone County 43-40 intriple overtime two Fridays ago.
Against McComb, senior running back Semmie Smith rushed 24 timesfor 188 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Panthers overcame a 12-0,second-quarter deficit. Quarterback Duwone Harris rushed for 38yards and passed for 61, including a 27-yard TD toss to TravoriusShowers.
Dewey Stailey kicked 4 extra points and punted once for a44-yard average.
On defense, Shamonte Brooks led the Panthers with 7 solo tacklesand 1 assist. Safety Jeff Newton had 7 tackles, including 2 for aloss, plus 1 fumble recovery. Joseph Owens and Cordai Hendersoneach had 6 tackles. Jacoby Cooper collected 5 tackles and afourth-quarter interception.
Panther Paws: Last year at Forest Hill, the Panthers knocked offthe Rebels (now Patriots) 31-21 as outside linebacker ChavonMiddleton made 9 solo tackles and 6 assists. Devonte Stewartintercepted 2 passes. Renaldo Epps returned an interception for aTD.
On offense, Semmie Smith rushed for 170 yards and 3touchdowns.