So what do the Brookhaven Panthers do after winning their firstClass 4A state football championship?

Contrary to popular belief, most of the coaches have full-timeteaching jobs when they’re not on the gridiron. They have neglectedwives and offspring patiently waiting for their return to a normal,daily routine. The players and coaches have been working non-stopsince the first week in August. That’s over four months offootball.

Fresh from beating Clarksdale 29-23 Saturday night in Jackson’sMississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, the Panthers are taking afew days to heal before starting their offseason conditioning andweightlifting program.

Ole Brook head football coach/athletic director TuckerPeavey still hasn’t slowed down. After arriving home earlySunday morning from the Capital City, Peavey enjoyed about an hourand a half of sleep before following his usual routine; risingearly and going to the field house. As usual, Sunday school,worship service at First Baptist and special time with his familybeckoned.

“I’ve had about nine thousand phone calls,” said Peavey. “We’vebeen busy.”

The Brookhaven Gridiron Club plans to market several itemsrecognizing the state championship achievement. T-shirts,sweatshirts and windbreakers have been mentioned, plus a DVD of theOle Brook/Clarksdale game.

Proceeds from the sale of souvenir items will be used to helppay for football awards and championship rings. It becomes a majorexpense when you consider purchasing rings for 65 players, pluscoaches and managers.

Ole Brook quarterback Jimmy Johns will have abusy December and January before reaching a final decision on hiscollege football career. Johns has official campus visits withAuburn, Mississippi State and Alabama on the horizon.

Four BHS football players, wide receiver BudChatman, tight end Michael Thrasher andcornerbacks Orlandus Chapman and JeromeAvery, are busy practicing basketball in SinclairGymnasium. Chatman (6-5) and Thrasher (6-4) should give thePanthers some much-needed help on the backboards.

Peavey also is working on the 2005 football schedule which willsee some major changes due to reclassification and realignment.Region 6-4A member South Pike has dropped to Class 3A while JimHill and Wingfield of Jackson have climbed to 5A.

Port Gibson is expected to join Florence and Mendenhall asnewcomers to Region 6-4A where the Panthers are 2-time defendingchampions. Coach Anthony Hart of Franklin County has expressed akeen interest in playing Brookhaven if the schedule canaccommodate.

South Pike, long a 4A power, is joining a new group of Region7-3A teams. Tylertown, West Marion and Columbia also will joinFranklin County, North Pike and Wilkinson County, making it a superheavyweight football region.

Hazlehurst, a longtime power in Region 7-3A, is moving to Region6-3A which will definitely give the Indians a boost. They must dealwith Jefferson County, Bailey, Crystal Springs, Raymond, Richlandand Yazoo County. Basically, all the Indians have to do is throwtheir helmets on the field and win that region.

Amite County is dropping to 2A and should be an immediate titlecontender in Region 6-2A. The Trojans join Loyd Star, Wesson, St.Andrew’s, Hinds AHS and Madison St. Joseph. McLaurin moves toRegion 7-2A.

In Region 4-1A, state champion Mize is graduating to 2A andVicksburg St. Aloysius is moving north to Region 3-1A. NewcomersGulfport St. John and Biloxi Mercy Cross join Bogue Chitto,Enterprise, West Lincoln, Natchez Cathedral, Salem, Stringer,Dexter and Mt. Olive in Region 4-1A.

The South defeated the North in the Mississippi Private SchoolAssociation’s All-Star Football Game last Thursday night atMississippi College in Clinton. It was a defensive struggle inrain-soaked Robinson-Hale Stadium.

Brookhaven Academy’s Chris Falvey started atnose guard for the South and played well, according to BA headcoach Ray Ishee. A late edition to the roster, BAwide receiver Stewart Sessums, also playedwell.

Copiah Academy’s Price Henley worked on specialteams for the South. He also played some tailback and strongsafety.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz. c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602, or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com