Eager to start their 2003 campaign, the Brookhaven Panthers kickit off Friday night at Hazlehurst. Kickoff is 7 p.m., instead ofthe standard 7:30.

“We can be an exciting team to watch,” said Brookhavensecond-year head coach Tucker Peavey. “They must play to theircapabilities.”

Last year the Panthers finished strong, beating South Pike inthe second round of the state playoffs and advancing to the Class4A South State semifinals where they lost to D’Iberville, theeventual state champion.

“We are tired of practicing against one another,” said Peavey.”We didn’t throw and catch the ball (Monday night) at Meet ThePanthers so we still have some work to do.”

Offensive Starters

Starting on offense for the Panthers are quarterback Jimmy Johns(6-2, 210, jr.) and Darius Perkins (6-2, 220, jr.) at running back.Josh Patrick (5-10, 175, sr.), Bud Chatman (6-5, 220, jr.) andTaurean Jones (5-10, 170, jr.) are at wide receiver.

In the line, Michael Thrasher (6-2, 250, jr.) is at tight end,James Barker (6-1, 245, sr.) at right tackle, Kenneth Fairman(5-10, 310, sr.) at right guard, Grant McDonnieal (6-0, 235, jr.)at center, Adam Ogden (6-2, 210, sr.) at left guard and TylerGatlin (6-1, 260, jr.) at left tackle.

Freshman Will Thibodeaux (5-10, 140) will handle extra pointsand field goals. Brandt Hinton (6-2, 180, so.) is the punter andbackup quarterback. Johns will kick off. Ogden is the longsnapper.

On defense, the ends are Phillip Tobias (6-3,290, sr.) and Julius Brown (6-0, 230, sr.). Tackles are JessieBowman (6-0, 310, jr.) and Zach Ray (6-1, 290, jr.). Linebackersare Aljur Herring (6-0, 190, jr.) , Jason Dixon (5-10, 195, sr.)and Eric Edwards (5-10, 205, jr.).

At strong safety is Orlandas Chapman (5-11, 160, so.) and thefree safety is Jarius Wilson (5-10, 180, sr.). At cornerback areAnthony Caffie (5-7, 165, so.) and T.J. Qualls (5-8, 180, so.).

Behind Perkins at running back is Dominique Smith (5-9, 185,so.) . “He (Smith) is a good all-around running back,” said Peavey.”He has good vision and he’s a hard runner.

“We have better overall team speed this year,” said Peavey.

Peavey said 57 varsity players are expected to dress for thegame. Three will miss the opener due to injuries: offensive linemenKody Smith (knee) and Ladarius Williams (knee) and kicker CameronNewell (knee). All three are recovering from injuries sustainedlast spring. Newell’s injury was suffered during the soccerseason.

Peavey and his staff have watched the Hazlehurst-Brookhaven filmfrom last year on several occasions. The Panthers prevailed 24-15on King Field.

“Hazlehurst has a good team returning,” said Peavey. “They havea good running back in (Fred) Williams and a lot of teamspeed.”

Williams was a key to Hazlehurst’s 9-3 campaign, leading theIndians to the Division 7-3A championship and the second round ofthe state playoffs. Williams (5-10, 185, sr.), named to The DAILYLEADER’s 2002 All-Area Football Team, rushed for 1,802 yards and 24touchdowns.

Hazlehurst coach Willie Brown lost most of his offensive line tograduation and that concerns him the most. Williams and outsidelinebacker Mario Patterson are two of Hazlehurst’s senior leaders.Other seniors are Matthew Porter, John Reese, Dwight Brown, DarrenEason, Bobby Overton and Gregory Porter.

“I hope Brookhaven takes it easy on us,” said Brown. “We’re ayoung team. We lost a lot of good players.”

Patterson had 14 quarterback sacks last season. “I’d like tobreak my own record of 14 sacks,” He said. “We want to pushourselves to win.”

Panther Paws: Brookhaven overcame a 9-7Hazlehurst lead at halftime to score 17 unanswered, third-quarterpoints. Johns ran for 1 touchdown and passed for another in thecomeback. For the game, Williams rushed 17 times for 125 yards.