The Brookhaven Academy Cougars (4-1) will be stepping up a few weight classes tonight when they make the quick trip to south McComb to face the Parklane Pioneers (4-1).

BA beat Parklane 16-12 in 2011 and lost a close game 20-14 in 2012. Since then the teams have played four times with Parklane going 4-0 and outscoring the Cougars a combined 144-19 during that span.

The Pioneers are among the six largest schools in the MAIS that make up the 6A classification. Parklane, Madison Ridgeland Academy, Jackson Prep, Jackson Academy, Oak Forest Academy and Presbyterian Christian make up the new 6A while BA is a 4A program.

Parklane began their season with a thrilling 37-33 win over MHSAA 5A member North Pike. They then beat Silliman 21-14 before losing a heartbreaker 41-40 to Presbyterian Christian. PA and coach Brian Stutzman bounced back with a 35-7 win over St. Aloysius and a 51-22 victory against Central Hinds.

In their 34-33 win over Cathedral last week the Cougars got a four-yard rushing touchdown from John Rivers Brown to get on the board in the first half and a nine-yard Nick Ogden touchdown run to go up 21-13 in the third quarter.

Corey Case was four-for-four on PAT kicks for the Cougars against Cathedral and had several touchbacks on kickoffs.

As good as the Cougars moved the ball offensively, they struggled to stop the Green Wave offense, especially on the ground. The Pioneers are known for having a very large offensive line. Against Central Hinds the Pioneers got 168 yards and three scores from running back Taylor Alford on just six carries.

The game will serve as Parklane’s homecoming and kicks off at 7 p.m. tonight in Cowart-Smith Stadium.