The Brookhaven High Panthers (6-3) will look to improve on their 1-3 road record this season when they travel to Ellisville Friday night to take on the South Jones Braves (5-5).

BHS last won a game away from King Field on Sept. 7 when they whipped the McComb Tigers 33-3.

The Panthers are tied with Natchez High in the region standings with identical 3-2 records. Laurel leads the division with a 5-0 record, followed by a 4-1 West Jones team in second place.

For the Panthers to keep pace with the Bulldogs they need to beat the Braves. It would also benefit Brookhaven if Forest Hill could pull an upset Friday night and knock off Natchez on their homecoming.

Natchez closes the season next week against Laurel and Brookhaven plays West Jones on King Field. Natchez holds the tie-breaker over Brookhaven after beating the Panthers 34-33 earlier this season.

The third-place team in the division will travel to Picayune when the 5A playoffs begin on Nov. 9. The fourth-place team will travel to face Hattiesburg in the opening round.

South Jones is coming off a 35-0 loss to West Jones. Brookhaven took care of Wingfield 35-21 last week.

Kickoff between the Braves and Panthers is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Story by Cliff Furr