Coach Marcus Boyles achieved his 200th career victory Fridaynight but it didn’t come easily. Boyles directed his Wayne CountyWar Eagles to a hard-fought 27-20 win over the Brookhaven Panthers,overcoming four fumbles on King Field.

The Eagles, ranked No. 3 in Class 5A, raised their record to 5-1overall and 2-0 inside Region 3-5A. They broke open a 7-7 halftimedeadlock as junior quarterback Jaleel Lacey tossed touchdown passesof 56 yards to Randy Pettus and 30 yards to Travon Harris. A 1-yardTD plunge by Rashard Bowman put the Eagles up 27-13 with 11:55 leftto play.

With the loss, Brookhaven fell to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in regionplay.

“It was a big win and a tough win,” said Boyles. His career recordis 200-27, featuring five state championships in a 16-yearcareer.

“We are a running football team but (Panthers) gave us the pass,”Boyles pointed out. “We were hard-headed the first half and triedto run it. Brookhaven has a great defensive line.”

In a first half featuring a scoreless first quarter, the Eagles goton the scoreboard first. BHS quarterback Duwone Harris had his passtipped and intercepted by Michael Norsworthy and returned 21 yardsto WC’s 36. That theft ignited a 64-yard scoring drive. After Laceyhooked up with Pettus for a 20-yard completion to Brook’s 1-yardline, Jarvis Chambers entered the game and scored on a sneak.

Tyler Franklin’s PAT kick gave the Eagles a 7-0 lead.

The Panthers, wearing their new red pants with red jerseys; quicklyresponded as Greg Sims returned the kickoff 57 yards to WC’s40-yard line. Harris hit Trent Powell with a 39-yard gainer to the1, where Harris scored on a sneak.

Dewey Stailey’s PAT gained a 7-7 deadlock with 1:18 left in thehalf.

The Eagles scored on their first possession of the second half,going 65 yards in three plays. The TD connection from Lacey toPettus put them up 14-7.

For the game, Lacey completed 10 of 15 passes for 200 yards. Pettushad 3 catches for 99 yards and Harris caught 6 for 95.

Down 21-7, BHS quarterback Duwone Harris rallied his team with hispasses and scrambling skills. He ran 16 yards for a TD, cuttingWC’s lead to 21-13.

“We told our kids No. 12 (Harris) would be back,” said Boyles.”He’s a game-breaker.” Harris missed two games after separating hisright shoulder in the second game of the season. He rushed 15 timesfor 102 yards and completed 7 of 17 passes for 101 yards.

Brook’s final TD march, covering 34 yards, was set up by ChrisSeals who recovered a Boman fumble. Ten plays later, facing afourth down at WC’s 1-yard line, Harris made a pitchout toTravorius Showers who went around right end and scored standingup.

“Our defense played great and our kids played hard,” said BHS coachTucker Peavey. “Our intensity and effort were there. We weren’tintimidated by a top-ranked team. Wayne County has some greatathletes.”

The Eagles got 90 rushing yards on 25 carries from senior runningback Dewayne Davis.