LAUREL – Laurel senior quarterback Keon Howard had a career performance Friday night, throwing for 405 yards and six touchdowns as the Golden Tornadoes blew past the Brookhaven Panthers 62-14 in Region 3-5A action.

The Golden Tornadoes got on the scoreboard first when senior running back Octavious Cooley scrambled in a three-yard run. Jonathan Atencio finished 5-of-5 on the night kicking extra points.

Brookhaven would answer Laurel’s challenge on the next offensive possession when senior running Thomas Poole sprint in a 25-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7 after Tyler Mixon nailed one of his two extra point attempts on the night.

After Ole Brook’s score, the Golden Tornadoes dominated the rest of the first half scoring 35 unanswered points to take a commanding 42-7 lead into halftime.

Howard caught fire in the first half and threw for five touchdowns as he connected with Jevah Jones for three touchdown passes of 21, 39 and 15. Dontario Drummond and Cooley caught a touchdown pass each of 13 yards.

In the third period, Brookhaven opened with a scoring drive to cut into Laurel’s lead at 42-14 after senior receiver Darrion Wilson caught a five-yard pass from freshman quarterback Sevonte Quinn.

The Golden Tornadoes would answer with another 20-point outburst as Howard started the onslaught with a 47-yard pass to Cooley. Yorch Atencio missed the extra point attempt but finished 3-of-4 on the night.

Dante Robinson helped his Golden Tornadoes increase their lead to 55-14 after scoring on a 15-yard run. Laurel’s defense managed to get into the scoring spread as Deveon Rogers recovered a fumble and returned it 20 yards to paydirt to end the Golden Tornadoes scoring explosion and collect the win.

Offensively, Poole was the leader for the Panthers with 18 rushes for 78 yards. Kenneth Dixon helped with nine carries for 44 yards. Duke Leggett had 10 rushes for 46 yards.

Quinn completed 4-of-18 passes for 43 yards. Kentravis Tanner was the top receiver with three catches for 38 yards. Wilson caught a five-yard touchdown pass.

For Laurel, Howard completed 21-of-29 passes for 405 yards and six touchdown to lead the Golden Tornadoes. Michael Terrell led the ground attack with six carries for 55 yards.

Cooley led all receivers with six catches for 133 yards. Drummond caught five passes for 99 yards. Tyquan Ulmer caught four passes for 51 yards. Jevah Jones had three receptions for 75 yards.

The Panthers (1-7, 1-3) will resume action Friday as they return home to welcome the West Jones Mustangs to King Field. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.