The Brookhaven Panthers had a tough challenge Friday night — defeat the unbeaten, No. 1 Hattiesburg Tigers. Ole Brook would ultimately see the might of the Tigers as Hattiesburg won going away 52-6.

Hattiesburg’s rush defense caused Ole Brook trouble all night long as there was hardly any room to run the ball. Brookhaven didn’t have much success going to the air either.

Despite the powerful Tiger defense swarming around the field, Brookhaven had several chances to score, but couldn’t keep those drives alive.

“I’m proud of the kids and the valiant effort they gave all night,” said Brookhaven head coach Tucker Peavey. “We knew it was going to be a challenge. Hattiesburg is a big, physical team. I thought we played hard tonight.”

Receiving the ball to start off the game, the Panthers saw their opening drive come to an end as they ended up punting the ball away.

The Tigers wasted no time to strike. Starting on the 47-yard line, Tigers senior quarter back Jarod Conner connected with senior running back Drexlan Allen. The Panthers defense would bring Allen down at the five-yard line.

Allen would score on the next play and give the Tigers a 7-0 lead.

Brookhaven saw their next drive end as they punted the ball away again but were able to cause Hattiesburg to fumble the kick and BHS recovered the ball at the 30-yard line.

The Panthers converted two fourth down plays as they drove for their lone score of the night. Panthers senior quarter back Sevante Quinn connected with senior wide receiver John Hilbert for a 15-yard touchdown and after a missed point after kick the Hattiesburg lead was trimmed to 7-6.

The Tigers would answer with a 60-yard drive that was finished by a one scoring run by Conner.

The Panthers started on the 35-yard line following the kickoff and slowly marched down the field but saw their drive end as they went for a fourth down attempt from the Hattiesburg 18-yard line.

Hattiesburg led 14-6 at the end of the first quarter.

A six-yard scoring run by Allen put the home team up 21-6 early in the second quarter. Allen, a Florida Atlantic commit, would then score from 60 yards out later in the quarter. Hattiesburg led 35-6 at halftime.

Allen would add another touchdown in the second half as would Conner.

For BHS, the game was the finale in the careers of a talented senior class. The group has gone 26-12 from their sophomore to senior seasons and was a huge factor in Brookhaven taking the Region 3-5A title last season.

Players such as four-year starting quarterback Quinn, Hilbert, Wesley Calcote, Dorian German, Isaiah Wall, Roderick Dillon, Coker Wright, Jariq Motley, Don Blandon, Xzaveiyon Bates, and D.J. Durr among others will leave big shoes to fill at 443 East Monticello Street.

Hattiesburg moves on to host West Jones next week in the 5A south state semifinals.

Story by Dave Linton