After a long bus ride, the Brookhaven Panthers tackle the LongBeach Bearcats in the opening round of the Class 5A state footballplayoffs Friday night at Long Beach. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Long Beach (10-1) is the Region 4-5A champion. Brookhaven (6-4) isthe No. 4 seed out of rugged Region 3-5A.

Ole Brook head coach Tucker Peavey said Long Beach boasts a potentpassing attack and senior quarterback Anthony D’Angelo isexceptional. “Their quarterback is a really good operator. He hassome guys who can catch it. They have a big offensive line.”

D’Angelo (6-3, 202) has completed 99 of 166 passes for 1,816 yardsand 21 touchdowns. His favorite receiver is Patrick Devin (5-10,146, jr.) who has 29 catches for 586 yards and 6 TDs. Ned Rushing(6-2, 165, sr.) has caught 27 passes for 325 yards and 5 TDs.

Peavey said the Bearcats usually line up in a 1-back spreadformation. Josh Rushing (6-1, 213, sr.) has rushed for 564 yardsand 6 TDs. Milton Belton (5-8, 167, jr.) has rushed for 752 yardsand 12 TDs.

On defense, Peavey said the Bearcats are sound. “They don’t give upbig plays.”

Defensive lineman Kenny Nassar (6-6, 306, sr.) wears jersey No. 75and anchors the middle of the defense. Defensive back Marcus Betts(6-0, 186, jr.) leads the Bearcats with six interceptions. Juniorlinebacker Richie Brown (6-2, 222, jr.) leads the team in tackleswith 92 stops.

Long Beach, coached by Tommy Browder, is enjoying its best seasonsince 1973 when the Bearcats went 11-0. This is their first-everplayoff game at home.

Peavey said his Panthers will need their ‘A’ game when they meetLong Beach. “You have to play good in the playoffs. That’s expectedof you.”

The Panthers concluded regular-season play last Friday at ForestHill. They capitalized on turnovers, returning a blocked field goalfor a touchdown, plus an interception and a fumble.

Jonah Hill returned the blocked field goal 69 yards to paydirtafter Jaboree Poole made the block. Chris Seals returned aninterception 36 yards to paydirt and Greg Sims scooped up a fumbleand returned it 55 yards to paydirt after the Forest Hill receiverfumbled.

Offensively, quarterback Duwone Harris ran 25 and 17 yards fortouchdowns as the Panthers expanded a 14-0 halftime lead. TravoriusShowers ran 2 yards for another score and Dewey Stailey was 6-for-6on extra points.

Defensively, Shamonte Brooks and Jacoby Cooper each had 7 tacklesin the victory. Jawaun Merchant and Kalen Calcote each had 6stops.

Peavey said, “We need some more big defensive plays Fridaynight.”

On the season, Harris has completed 47 of 103 passes for 856 yardsand 7 TDs. He has rushed for 661 yards and 6 TDs.

Showers and Harris are among the 26 seniors on the BHS squad.Showers has rushed for 661 yards and 6 TDs.

Senior Trent Powell is Brook’s leading receiver with 21 catches for407 yards and 3 TDs. Ross Hill has caught 10 passes for 240 yardsand 4 TDs.