McCOMB — A cloud of cannon smoke hung over C.C. Moore StadiumFriday night during an epic battle between archrivals Brookhavenand McComb. The McComb cannon belched loudly three times in thefourth quarter and the Tigers rallied past Ole Brook’s Panthers31-28.

McComb place-kicker Dylan Boyd provided the margin of victorywith a 29-yard field goal as time expired. It climaxed a see-sawRegion 6-4A battle between archrivals. The Panthers had raced to a14-0, first-quarter lead, dominating most of the first half.

McComb (3-1, 1-0) adjusted its defense at halftime and camealive, scoring 17 fourth-quarter points to salvage a hard-foughtvictory. The Tigers limited Brook to just 1 first down the secondhalf and it came on a 13-yard touchdown run by Charles Wilson,giving the Panthers a 21-7 lead with 7:19 left in the thirdquarter.

“Give McComb credit,” said BHS coach Tucker Peavey. “They neverquit and they made some big plays when they had to.

“Our effort wasn’t bad,” Peavey continued. “We kind of rested onoffense when we got ahead. We didn’t make the plays.”

McComb had tied the score at 28-28 with 37 seconds left in thegame. On the ensuing kickoff, Brook fumbled at its 25-yard line andEdgar Smith recovered for the Tigers.

McComb quarterback Alonzo Harris gained 2 yards on first downbut was unable to continue due to leg cramps. Sophomore backupquarterback Julius Brown mishandled the snap on second down butrecovered for a 1-yard loss. On third down, Demorius “Short Dog”Stewart broke up the middle for a 12-yard gain to the 12, settingthe stage for Boyd’s game-winner.

Stewart (5-9, 196, sr.) delivered big runs time and again. Hefinished with 146 yards rushing on 23 carries.

“Stewart’s not very tall but he has taken this team on hisshoulders and carried them,” said McComb head coach Randy Martin.”This was a great ballgame. We made mistakes but our kids neverquit.”

Last week Martin had watched his team lose a 35-32 overtime gameat Madison Central. “We were in one last week and came upshort.”

Martin said he had to use a new long-snapper (Serbata Magee)against Brook but Magee performed well, with the exception of thehigh snap on a punting situation which led to a Panther touchdown.”He made a good snap on the field goal.”

In the first quarter, Brook appeared ready to blow McComb out ofthe stadium. On the third play from scrimmage, quarterback Charles(Bobo) Rancifer hooked up with wide receiver Simmie Yarborough on a77-yard TD pass. Yarborough shed a defender and sprinted to the endzone.

Will Thibodeaux’s PAT kick gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead only 70seconds into the game. On their next possession, the Panthers went58 yards in 5 plays. Charles Wilson covered the final 7 yards overleft tackle and it was 14-0.

McComb didn’t get a first down until the second quarter butStewart began making his presence felt. Wingback Justin Powell ranthe final 5 yards for a TD, capping a 13-play, 71-yard march.

With Boyd lined up in punt formation early in the third quarter,the snap sailed over his head. He chased the ball down but fumbledand Brook’s Bart Sias recovered at the McComb 14. Wilson raced 13yards to paydirt on second down, making it 21-7.

The Tigers got a 4-yard TD run from Harris on their next series.They tied the score at 21-21 with 6:24 left in the game on a61-yard scoring pass from Harris to Powell who made the catch overhis shoulder, running wide open past a defender.

The Panthers pounced on another scoring opportunity whenThibodeaux’s 60-yard punt bounced down the field, touching a McCombplayer. Defensive end Larry Winters battled and won possession atMcComb’s 1-yard line.

On second down, Wilson dove over left tackle. Thibodeaux nailedthe PAT kick with 4:15 left to play, giving Brook a 28-21 lead.

McComb responded with a 68-yard scoring drive. The Tigers needed9 plays to reach the end zone. Powell hurdled a BHS tackler at thegoal line and the game was tied 28-28 on Boyd’s PAT.

Wilson rushed for 112 yards in the loss but was slowed by legcramps in the second half. Yarborough caught 4 passes for 177yards.

Boyd (6-2, 175, sr.), a right-handed pitcher on the MHS baseballteam, clutched the game ball as he accepted congratulations in thedressing room after the intense contest.

Brook (2-2, 0-1) hosts Mendenhall for a region game Friday.McComb hosts Florence in region play.