The intensity level is always high when Brookhaven and LawrenceCounty collide on the athletic field. That level will reach arecord high Friday night when the Panthers visit the Cougars inMonticello. At stake is the Region 6-4A football championship.Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Brookhaven is 7-2 overall and 5-0 in the region race. LawrenceCounty is 8-1 and 4-1. Win or lose, both teams will host openinground state playoff games Nov. 7.

The Panthers, coached by Tucker Peavey, are fresh from a 20-16upset loss at Laurel. They were coming off their biggest win of theyear, a 40-21 victory over previously unbeaten South Pike.

Peavey hopes his team can rebound and gain some momentumentering the state playoffs. “There’s no doubt, it will be a biggame. If we lose, we are No. 2. There is no longer a 3-way tiepossibility since South Pike got beat.”

South Pike (7-2, 3-2) lost a 41-34 decision to Jackson Jim Hilllast Friday at Magnolia. South Pike must beat McComb (6-3, 3-2)Friday night to secure a berth in the playoffs.

Watching the Cougars on film this week, Peavey said he has beenimpressed by Lawrence County. “They are a hard-playing, goodfootball team. They look like they give a lot of effort. They playhard every play and execute their offense well. On defense,Lawrence has good team speed.”

“They have a solid kicking game, too,” Peavey noted. “Theiroffensive line does a great job blocking. They have a quarterbackwho really understands their offense and knows how to make theright decisions.”

Senior Casey Williams directs the LCHS offense. A 3-yearstarter, Williams was selected The DAILY LEADER’s Offensive Playerof the Week after accounting for 5 touchdowns in last Friday’s winover Jackson Wingfield. Williams passed for 3 touchdowns and ranfor another, compiling over 200 yards total offense.

Williams is complimented by hard-running fullback RandyFerdinand plus wingbacks Chris Jefferson, Donovan Dickson andMichael Thompson. Williams threw touchdown passes to MarlonStanfield, Ivan Hilliard and Jefferson in the win overWingfield.

Brookhaven suffered 5 turnovers in the loss at Laurel.Quarterback Jimmy Johns was intercepted 3 times. Johns rushed for102 yards and passed for 38 yards.

Panther running back Dominique Smith rushed for 94 yards and atouchdown. Ronnie McNulty gained 77 yards. Johns sustained a pulledleg muscle against Laurel but returned to action after sitting outan offensive series.

Brookhaven tight end Michael Thrasher was injured in anautomobile accident Saturday afternoon and will miss the game.

On defense, junior lineman Jessie Bowman led Brookhaven with 9tackles. Aljur Herring had 6 tackles. Marlon Dixon picked off 2Laurel passes.

Lawrence County head coach Trent Hammond said Brookhaven is oneof the best 4A teams in Mississippi. “On film, they are one ofthose Wayne County or West Jones teams. They are loaded. They havetalent on offense and defense.

“It looks like we are going to play a junior college team,”Hammond continued. “Their offense is high caliber. They can poundyou or run around you. Their quarterback is very good at passingthe ball.”

Hammond said he and his coaching staff have spent extra hourslooking at Brookhaven game films and searching for weaknesses.”We’ve been scratching our heads all week. We are overwhelmed bythem.”

To beat Brookhaven, Hammond said, “We must play a perfectfootball game. We can’t put the ball on the ground like we didagainst South Pike.” His Cougars lost a 21-14 decision to SouthPike at Magnolia.

Looking at tomorrow night’s encounter, Hammond said, “This is abig game for the fans and the community. This one is for the regionchampionship. There’s a lot of interest.”

Panther Paws: Last year the Panthers defeatedLawrence County 41-22. Brookhaven and Lawrence County will bothplay teams out of Region 7-4A, hosting either Petal or Pearl RiverCentral Nov. 7, in the first round of the state playoffs.