MEADVILLE – Dominating on defense, the Brookhaven Panthers shutdown Franklin County 20-0 Friday night in their season opener. Theylimited the high-octane Bulldogs to just 77 yards total offense inLouie Mullins Memorial Stadium.

An overflow crowd, estimated at 2,500-plus, watched the Panthersget two rushing touchdowns from Travorius Showers. They also satthrough a 3-hour game that featured 21 penalties for 190 yards asyellow flags filled the warm, humid night air. Emotions were highon both sides of the football and trash-talking dominated the firsthalf.

Brookhaven led 7-0 at halftime before regrouping at halftime andtaking care of business.

Senior quarterback Duwone Harris directed the Panthers with 95yards rushing and a tackle-breaking, 7-yard touchdown run in thethird quarter. Harris also completed 7 of 14 passes for 120yards.

“We got out of character and I had to find it back,” said Harris.”We came out the second half and did a good job.”

Harris said the verbal war was intense. “(Bulldogs) were talking awhole lot of smack. We came together as a team and completed ourmission. Our defense got a shutout.”

Fresh from a 62-7 trouncing of Loyd Star in their season opener,the Bulldogs had no answer for Brook’s aggressive, hard-hittingdefense. BHS junior linebacker Kalen Calcote was credited with 11solo tackles.

The Bulldogs, trailing 20-zip after a 6-yard TD run by Showers,went to the airways but found limited success. BHS defensive backDevonte Stewart intercepted quarterback Jadarius Davis near thegoal line and returned the theft to midfield with 4:49 left in thegame.

“I was disciplined on defense,” said Stewart, explaining his passcoverage. “Our defense played hard but I know we can playharder.”

Ole Brook head coach Tucker Peavey said he was encouraged by histeam’s second-half performance. “We did some bad things emotionallythe first half but then we settled down and made some plays.Franklin County has a good football team.”

Peavey’s son, tight end Nick Peavey, sustained an injury to hisright knee in the second quarter after making a 17-yard reception.He broke some tackles and was headed for the end zone before he wastackled at FC’s 5-yard line. His knee buckled in the pileup.

Three plays later, Showers scored over right tackle. Dewey Staileykicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 3:43 left in the firsthalf.

A fumble recovery by defensive lineman Malcolm Stewart halted aBulldog drive at the BHS 44. The Panthers capitalized on theirfirst possession of the second half and marched to paydirt. Harrisran four straight plays, including a 29-yard rumble to FC’s 12-yardline. The drive was aided by a 15-yard personal foul against theBulldogs.

Franklin County head coach Rickey O’Quinn said Brook’s defensedestroyed his game play. “We wanted to be physical and run thefootball. Our offense has a ways to go. We scored 62 points lastweek and didn’t score any tonight.”

O’Quinn said his team would rebound from the humbling defeat. “Thiswill get us back hungry again.”

The Bulldogs are at McComb Friday night. BHS hosts Clinton.

On defense, the Bulldogs got an interception from Calvin Robinsonand eight tackles from middle linebacker Jeremy Hunt.