The Brookhaven Panthers continue their quest for a state playoffberth Friday night when they visit the McComb Tigers. Kickoff forthe Region 3-5A rivalry game is 7 p.m. in C.C. Moore Stadium.

Ole Brook’s Panthers (4-4, 2-3) knocked off Stone County 28-19 inlast Friday’s homecoming game on King Field. McComb (4-5, 1-4) wasambushed 34-15 in south Jackson by Forest Hill’s Patriots.

BHS head coach Tucker Peavey said the Tigers have plenty ofpotential. “McComb is a big, fast team; kind of like what they havebeen the last few years. They are very talented and skilled. Theirlinebackers and wide receivers are fast. They have big linemen,too.”

Peavey said the Tigers, coached by Malcolm Jones, boast severaloutstanding players. “Their linebacker, No. 21 (Cavellis Luckett),is a running back, too,” said Peavey. “He looks like a really goodathlete.”

Luckett (6-1, 210, jr.) rushed 14 times for 101 yards in the ForestHill game.

McComb quarterback Lamarvin Ashley has put up some big numbers thisseason, using his foot speed and arm strength to bedazzle defenses.Ashley (5-11, 175, sr.) wears jersey No. 7 and sees some duty ondefense.

Against Forest Hill, Ashley struggled with his passing game. Hecompleted 5-of-20 passes for 27 yards and was interceptedtwice.

Defensively, the Tigers are anchored powerful big senior linemanChris Hughes (6-1, 250) who had consecutive quarterback sacks inthe second half against Forest Hill. The Tigers were ripped for 202rushing yards by Forest Hill’s Jabari Baker whose 24 rushesincluded a pair of touchdowns.

“They’ll be looking for a district, win, too,” Peavey noted.

McComb needs wins over Brookhaven and Stone to claim fourth placein the region race. Forest Hill must lose its final two games toStone and Brookhaven.

West Jones (8-0, 5-0), Picayune (8-0, 5-0) and Wayne County (7-2,4-1) are expected to claim the top three rungs in the region.

BHS Win Rehashed

Brook’s Players of the Week for the Stone game were linebackerKalen Calcote on defense and quarterback Duwone Harris on offense.Harris passed for 117 yards and 3 touchdowns, earning The DAILYLEADER’s Offensive Player of the Week recognition. He rushed 16times for 79 yards.

Catching TD passes were tight end Nick Peavey (5 yards) and widereceivers Ross Hill (50 yards) and Devonte Stewart (32 yards).Stewart had 2 catches for 44 yards.

Senior running back Travorius Showers continued to assert himselfand directed Brook’s rushing attack with 24 carries for 130 yardsand a touchdown.

Defensively, linebacker Jacoby Cooper directed the Panthers with 6solo tackles and 3 assists. Jabori Poole had 5 solo stops. Calcotemade 4 solo stops, 3 assists and 1 pass interception. ShamonteBrooks had 1 interception and 4 solo tackles. Chris Seals made 4solo stops and 2 assists.

Peavey, a 1980 BHS grad, now in his ninth year as head coach, knowsthe tradition. The rivals played on Thanksgiving Day until theearly 1960s. “It was a big game for a long time. It’s stillimportant, especially this year. We are in the hunt for theplayoffs.”

Since 1970, McComb has fashioned a 27-13 lead in the series. Thisseason the Tigers won their first three games before dropping fourin a row. They beat Pearl River Central 26-9 two weeks ago beforelosing to Forest Hill.