Quarterback Ben Stevens and the No. 1-ranked West Jones Mustangsroll out the welcome mat Friday night for the Brookhaven Panthers.It’s the first Region 3-5A test for the Panthers and it presents amajor challenge. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

Stevens, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior, is a 3-year starter for theMustangs. This season he has passed for 448 yards and sixtouchdowns, completing 40 of 55 passes.

“Ben Stevens is a very good operator,” said Ole Brook head coachTucker Peavey. “West Jones is a very good football team. A lot oftheir skill people are back from last year.”

Also among the offensive leaders for West Jones is wide receiverXavier Hilton (5-6, 165, sr.) who has 17 catches for 188 yards andtwo TDs.

“They have some new offensive linemen up front because theygraduated some seniors,” Peavey noted.

Devontay Barnett (6-2, 210, sr.) is the main rusher in the WestJones attack. The Mustangs run a spread offense with three or fourwide receivers.

The Mustangs, coached by Scott Pierson, are solid everywhere andthey don’t make many mistakes.

Peavey said the Mustangs have only allowed three points in threegames. “They are pretty fast everywhere on defense.”

The Mustangs shut out South Jones 34-0 two weeks ago. They also hadan open date last week.

Linebacker Matthew Farrar (5-10, 185, sr.) leads the Mustangs ondefense with 27 tackles. Defensive back Devonte Jones (5-9, 180,sr.) has intercepted two passes.

The Panthers (2-1) had an open date last week to rest andrecuperate. Quarterback Duwone Harris isn’t 100 percent afterseparating his shoulder three weeks ago in the Clinton game. SeniorDevonte Stewart will continue at quarterback for thePanthers.

Ole Brook turned back rival Lawrence County 20-16 two weeks ago onKing Field.

Stewart directed the victory. He completed 6 of 10 passes for 51yards and a touchdown. He also rushed 16 times for 105 yards andone TD. Senior running back Travorius Showers rushed 14 times for73 yards and a TD.

On defense, the Panthers were directed by Shamonte Brooks who had11 tackles and one caused fumble. Kalen Calcote collected sixtackles and three assists. Malcolm Stewart and Jacoby Cooper eachhad five tackles.