West Jones head football coach Scott Pierson doesn’t lavishpraise on his football team. In fact, he prefers calling hisMustangs an average team.

On the contrary, West Jones is 12-1 on the season, fresh fromshocking South Pike 19-0 at Magnolia. The Mustangs hostBrookhaven’s Panthers (12-1) Friday night in the Class 4A Southstate championship game. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

In the North finals, Clarksdale (10-3) is at Lafayette County(11-1). The state championship game will be played Saturday night,Dec. 4, at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson.

Pierson, a Gulf Breeze, Fla., native, is in his third year atthe West Jones helm. The Mustangs have enjoyed incredible successunder his leadership. In three years, Pierson has compiled a 33-3record. They were 13-1 last year, losing to Wayne County in theSouth state championship game.

“We just play football,” answered Pierson when asked about hissquad. “Defensively, we run to the ball. Offensively, we score justenough to win.”

Warren Herrington (5-10, 160, jr.) quarterbacks the Mustangs. Hehas thrown for over 800 yards this season.

Top runner for the Mustangs is Justin Young (5-6, 170, sr.).Young has rushed for over 500 yards.

Asked about his defensive squad, Pierson said, “We’re okay ondefense. We are little.”

West Jones middle linebacker Archie Sims (6-0, 200, sr.),wearing jersey No. 42, directs the stingy defense. At the othermiddle linebacker, No. 44 Derrick Howard (5-8, 220, sr.) rests atopthe tackle charts. Both have been starting since they weresophomores.

Brandon Hunt punts for the Mustangs. Zack Adams placekicks. Bothare juniors.

West Jones’ only defeat this season was a 23-14 loss to WayneCounty on Oct. 22.

Pierson’s adrenalin began flowing when he talked aboutBrookhaven senior quarterback Jimmy Johns. “I think No. 10 (Johns)is probably the best player in the state. He’s thedifference-maker.”

Johns rushed for 2 touchdowns and passed for another in lastFriday’s 27-21 overtime upset win over defending state championWayne County. “He took the game over in the last seven minutes,”said Pierson.

Asked for his opinion on Brookhaven, Pierson said, “They are ahuge football team. They are physical. They’ll be the best teamwe’ve faced all year, no doubt.”

Panthers Riding Surge

Brookhaven carries an 11-game victory streak to Laurel forFriday night’s South title game at West Jones. Coach TuckerPeavey’s Panthers have been practicing from 9 a.m. to noon each daythis week.

“West Jones is a very good football team,” said Peavey. “Theyhave very good team speed.

“Offensively, they run and throw. They are a one-back offense,”added Peavey. The Mustangs use a no-huddle, shotgun formation mostof the time.

“Their quarterback (Herrington) runs their offense well andmakes plays for them.”

West Jones’ forte is defense. “They have the best speed overallon defense that we’ve seen,” said Peavey. “Sims is a Dandy Dozenguy. The other inside linebacker is very good, too. They have 11guys on defense who can play.”

Ray Ray Pickering (5-5, 160, sr.) is one of those exceptionalathletes, despite his diminutive size. “The nose guard (Pickering)returns punts, plays cornerback and holds for extra points,” saidPeavey.

“It will take our best game to date,” said Peavey. He presentedthe weekly player of the week honors to his entire squad for thesecond straight week.

Richard Alvarado led Brookhaven’s defense against Wayne Countywith 8 solos tackles and 2 assists, including a quarterback sack.Jessie Bowman, Eric Edwards and Virgil Sanders each had 7 tackles.Larry Winters blocked a fourth quarter field goal.

Offensively, Johns rushed for 169 yards and passed for 71. RonnyMcNulty rushed for 51 yards and scored the winning touchdown inovertime, seeing his first action in 5 weeks.

Bud Chatman led the receiving corps with 2 catches for 37 yards.Montral Smith had 2 catches for 23 yards.

Panther Paws: Brookhaven hasn’t been to Southstate finals since 1997 when the Panthers lost to Northeast Jones49-14 and finished 12-1 under Coach Greg Wall.