Lawrence County running backs saw too muchof Brookhaven’s No. 85 last Thursday night. BHS junior defensiveend Jaboree Poole was credited with 12 tackles in the Panthers’35-14 season-opening victory.

    Poole’s performance has earned him The DAILY LEADER’s DefensivePlayer of the Week honors for the second week of the 2011 footballseason.

    Ole Brook head coach recognizes Poole’s potential. “Poole has allthe ability to be a Division I player. “He just has to keep gettingbetter. He works hard in the weight room.”

    Henderson said Poole and fellow defensive end Thevis Cooper helpedcontain Lawrence County’s deceptive double wing attack. “They triedto run Thevis Cooper’s side at the start of the game and then theytried the other side,” where Poole controls the traffic.

    Poole (6-3, 240) is the son of Roshland Porter. He has a youngerbrother who attends Mamie Martin School and a little sister in DayCare.

    “I like to sack the quarterback,” said Poole. “My responsibility isto keep the runners confined.”

    His defensive line coaches are Chaz Allen and Jessie Bowman.Defensive coordinator Kelby Bowman praised Poole’s efforts andpredicts a bright future for him.

    “Jaboree has got those fast feet and he can change directions. Hecan run and he has Division I instincts.”

    Poole is joined on the defensive unit by Cooper (6-2, 225, sr.)atend. The tackles are Malcolm Stewart, Jr. (5-10, 230, sr.), MarquisPrice (5-7, 245, soph.), Ricky Parker (6-0, 225, sr.) and JoshThomas (6-2, 250, soph.).

    At linebacker are Kalen Calcote (6-0, 190, sr.) and Tyris Hill(6-0,190, soph.) in the middle. On the outside are Marcus Coleman (5-8,155, jr.), Jonah Hill (5-8, 170, jr.) and Shiem Brumfield (6-0,17-0, jr.).

    Greg Sims (6-0, 180, sr.) is at left cornerback. Dontray Smith(5-7, 130, jr.) and Billy Thomas are at right corner. The freesafety is Alvin Franklin (6-1, 160, sr.).

    Poole believes the Panthers will continue to improve as the seasonprogresses. They were Class 5A state runners-up to West Point lastseason but 26 seniors graduated.

    “We are young in some spots but we are pretty good,” said Poole. “Ilike playing for Coach Henderson.”

    The Panthers entertain unbeaten Hazlehurst (2-0) Friday night fortheir first home game of the season.

    In his spare time, Poole enjoys watching football games ontelevision, especially Mississippi State and the Dallas Cowboys.His favorite NFL player is linebacker DeMarcus Ware of Dallas.

    Asked about his future, Poole said he wants to pursue a career inengineering and play college football.