The Brookhaven High and Lawrence County rivalry is renewed Friday night as BHS travels to Monticello to face the Cougars.

LC is coming off of a close 19-18 win against Hazlehurst in the KDMC Kickoff Classic. The Cougars led by a pair of scores early but trailed in the fourth quarter. A defensive stand that gave them the ball back near midfield was the shot of momentum that coach Jesse Anderson’s team needed as they promptly marched down the field for the go-ahead score.

Ole Brook is coming off a 42-2 loss to South Pike. The Panthers moved the ball well at times against the Eagles but had no success in putting the ball into the end zone. After the game coach Tucker Peavey cited improved tackling as something his team must work on this week in practice.

The Brookhaven linemen and linebackers will get plenty of opportunities to make tackles against the LC double wing offense. Against Hazlehurst the Cougars were led by senior Kylan Cooper who rushed for 128 yards and scored a pair of TDs. As a team LC gained 235 yards rushing the ball.

Last season BHS jumped up quickly on LC in Brookhaven and coasted to a 33-6 win over the Cougars. The last win for LC in the series was a 55-33 victory in 2015.

Both teams are rebuilding in areas as the Cougars have a whole new offensive line in 2019. For Brookhaven High it’s the defensive line and linebackers that are two of the most unexperienced units on the team.

In his first career start last week sophomore quarterback Dre Ross went 3-of-14 for 22 yards against South Pike. Ross rushed 10 times for 10 yards. Senior Byrion Robinson was the most effective ball carrier for BHS as he gained 89 yards on nine carries. JQ Edwards ran 12 times for 40 yards.

Junior linebacker Gabe Burnett made six tackles to lead BHS. Juniors Quintaye Bates and Dontrae Smith had five tackles apiece as well. Junior Gage Reeves punted the ball well as he averaged 31 yards per kick on seven tries.

The LC defense was solid against Hazlehurst as senior defensive end Stefan Pierce led the team with a pair of sacks. Senior Kendrick Madison picked off a pass for the Cougars. Senior defensive end Javarious Bryant was in on a team high 10 tackles and junior linebacker Hunter Daley made a team best seven solo stops.

Kickoff in Monticello is set for 7 p.m.