Taking a tip from the McComb marching band’s 10-piece tubasection, the McComb Tigers blew Brookhaven’s Panthers off KingField Friday night, posting an impressive 40-8 triumph.

Taking a tip from the McComb marching band’s 10-piece tubasection, the McComb Tigers blew Brookhaven’s Panthers off KingField Friday night, posting an impressive 40-8 triumph. McCombclimbed to 8-1 overall and 4-0 in Division 6-4A, clinching thedivision title.

Brookhaven (5-2, 2-1), saw its 5-game victory streak halted andits homecoming celebration spoiled as an overflow crowd witnessedthe blowout. On a beautiful evening which saw Micah Beassie crownedhomecoming queen, the Panthers could do nothing right as McCombroared to a 21-0 first-quarter lead, capitalizing on a fumble inthe end zone and an interception, giving the Tigers easytouchdowns.

“We fell apart at the beginning and dug our own grave,” saidBrookhaven head coach Greg Wall as he helped load dirty uniforms inthe clothes washer. “McComb is good and they have so many numbersthey can run at you.

“We didn’t control the line of scrimmage defensively oroffensively,” Wall continued.

The loss left Brookhaven with the challenge of winning it nexttwo games to reach the state playoffs as division runner-up. ThePanthers must beat Terry on the road Friday night and then defeatLawrence County in the Nov. 3, season finale on King Field.

Brookhaven senior defensive end Don Expose challenged histeammates in the dressing room after the game. “We can win our nexttwo and see McComb again in the playoffs. We can’t give upnow.”

McComb, directed by senior quarterback Damien Givens, marched 56yards on the game-opening series. On second down at Brookhaven’s6-yard line, Givens faked a handoff and circled right end for thetouchdown.

Stephen Brooking kicked the PAT for a 7-0 lead which would growto 27-0 at halftime and 40-zip in the fourth quarter beforeBrookhaven scored.

The Tigers flexed their muscles on defense and limitedBrookhaven to just 1 first down and 36 yards total offense thefirst half. For the game, Brookhaven managed just 165 yards totaloffense.

McComb scored its second TD on a fumble recovery by Tim Chesterin the end zone. Punter Justin Windham, standing in his end zone,was unable to find the handle on a low snap. Windham was knockedoff the football and Chester recovered, pushing McComb’s lead to14-0.

On the next series, Brookhaven quarterback Fred Perkins wasintercepted by Carlos Weathersby who returned the theft 33 yards toBrookhaven’s 3-yard line. Three plays later, Tiger fullback ThomasJackson bulled the last 2 yards. McComb led 21-zip with 1:53 leftin the first quarter.

Corey Wilson replaced Perkins at quarterback and Perkins wasmoved to receiver. On a fourth-and-nine at McComb’s 28, Wilson wassacked for a 13-yard loss by the 195-pound Jackson who also starsat nose guard. Jackson led McComb in rushing with 14 carries for 76yards but rushed only once in the second half.

McComb went 59 yard in 5 plays. Givens hooked up with Weathersbyon a 17-yard, over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone. McComb led27-0 with 40 seconds left in the first half.

Brookhaven senior offensive tackle Randy Jackson said McComb’sfirst-quarter blitz was decisive. “They caught some breaks earlyand got the momentum.”

Expose agreed. “We gave them two easy (touchdowns) and then ourheads dropped.”

McComb coach Lee Bramlett unleashed running back George Lewis tostart the second half. Lewis carried 7 straight times on a 65-yardtouchdown drive. A 205-pound sophomore, Lewis scored on a 1-yardplunge and it was 34-0.

Three minutes into the fourth quarter, Weathersby interceptedWilson when he tried to pass from his 5-yard line. Weathersbyreturned the ball 16 yards for a TD, making it 40-0 and 8:35 leftin the game.

The Tigers celebrated their division championship after the gameas Bramlett huddled with his team. “I am real proud of this team.We have a good bunch of seniors and they have worked hard.

“Our defense has stepped it up a notch and our offense isgetting better each game,” Bramlett continued. “It is great to winour division. We haven’t been to the playoffs since ’96.”

Going against McComb reserves, the Panthers finally broke thescoring ice when tailback Cornelius Allen raced 26 yard to paydirt,cutting back across the field. Josh Townsend ran the 2-pointconversion out of the Huddle Play.

Allen led the Panthers with 10 carries for 120 yards.@Bbstandings:

STATISTICS

MC B First Downs 17 7 Rushes-Yards 45-255 32-150 PassingYards 7 15 Total Yards 331 165 Passes 4-11-0 3-9-3 Fumbles-Lost 2-24-2 Punts-Average 0-0 2-30 Penalties-Yards 5-45 4-21 McComb 21 6 76 – 40 Brookhaven 0 0 0 8 – 8

FIRST QUARTER

McComb, Givens 6 run (Brooking kick), 7:14. McComb,Chester fumble recovery (Brooking kick), 4:47. McComb, Jackson 2run (Brooking kick), 1:53.

SECOND QUARTER

McComb, Weathersby 14 pass from Givens (kick failed),:40.

THIRD QUARTER

McComb, Lewis 1 run (Brooking kick), 4:17.

FOURTH QUARTER

McComb, Weathersby 16 interception return (kick failed),8:35. Brookhaven, Allen 26 run (Townsend run), 5:22.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: McComb, Jackson 14-76, Lewis 9-66, Gatlin 6-60,Pittman 8-39, Gayden 1-6, Martin 4-6, Givens 1-6, Bell 1-3, Haynes1-(minus 7). Brookhaven, Allen 10-120, T. Williams 3-14, F. Perkins4-10, Anderson 8-10, Wilson 5-7, Expose 1-(minus 2), Windham1-(-9).

PASSING: McComb, Givens 4-11-0, 76. Brookhaven, Wilson3-7-1, 15. F. Perkins 0-1-1. Allen 0-1-1.

RECEIVING: McComb, Turner 1-43, Weathersby 1-14, Barnes1-12, Pittman 1-9. Brookhaven, B. Williams 1-22, Allen 1-0, T.Williams 1-(minus 7).