Brookhaven’s men of iron look for more gold Saturday in theSouth State 5A Powerlifting Meet at Gulfport. The Ole BrookPanthers will be represented by 10 lifters after winning the Region3-5A championship at South Pike.

“We’ve got a good group,” said BHS powerlifting coach JaymiePalmer. “They have been working hard to improve their lifts.”

Palmer’s assistant coach is Kelby Bowman.

Lifters are placed in different divisions based on their bodyweight. They are judged on their total poundage in three lifts:bench press, dead lift and squat.

The Panthers scored 43 points in the regional. Pearl River Centralwas second with 36 points, followed by McComb and Wayne County with33 points and Stone County with 13.

Placing first for Brookhaven in the region meet were Shelby Hodges,114-pound class; Isaiah Williams, 148; Austin Barnett, 181; JeffNewton, 198; James Michael Patti, 220; and Jawaun Merchant, 308.Finishing second was Tyron Wilson, 165.

Panthers placing third were Donald Edwards, 132 and DerrickHenderson, super heavyweight. Fourth place went to Dewey Stailey,148.

Newton, an all-region safety in football, said he enjoyed thepowerlifting challenge. “I like lifting weights that I’ve neverdone before.”

Newton had recorded a dead lift of 530 pounds, a 420 squat and a280 bench. He has signed a football scholarship with HolmesCommunity College.

He said powerlifting helped him become a better tackler.

“I like to compete against other people,” said Henderson. “It’s ahobby and it’s fun. It helps me stay in shape.”

Henderson, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound offensive tackle, has signed withAlcorn State University. He has recorded lifts of 525 in the deadlift, 420 in the squat and 295 in the bench.

Henderson said he enjoys the simplicity of the dead lift because ithas fewer restrictions and techniques to qualify. “It shows yourstrength. All you have to do is go up there and pick it up.”

Newton and Henderson both competed in the state meet last year.