Center Mitch Case and quarterback Duwone Harris have beenteammates since playing peewee league football together. Fridaynight the two seniors helped the Brookhaven Panthers have a happyhomecoming as Harris passed for three touchdowns in a 28-19 winover Stone County’s Tomcats.

The Region 3-5A victory not only pleased a large homecoming crowdand queen Shellie Smith. It helped the Panthers (4-4, 2-3) inchcloser to a state playoff berth. The Tomcats (3-6, 2-3) fell behind28-6 at halftime and saw their playoff chances grow dimmer.

“Me and Duwone have been center and quarterback since we were onthe same peewee team,” said Case.

Case appreciated the homecoming crowd. “You always have hugesupport from the fans. I don’t think any school has as much supportas we do. It helps us play better.”

Harris, a 2-year starter at quarterback, said he enjoyed thehomecoming win. “It feels great. We wanted to jump on (Tomcats)early and get the momentum.”

The Panthers forced a 3 downs and punt on Stone’s first possessionof the game. Running back Travorius Showers, one of 26 seniors onthe BHS squad recognized Friday night, carried the football fivestraight times. It set up a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end NickPeavey who was seeing his first action since the Aug. 27 seasonopener at Franklin County when he sustained a knee injury.

Dewey Stailey added his first of four extra points and BHS led 7-0with 8:15 left in the first quarter.

Harris engineered a 62-yard TD drive on the first series of thesecond quarter. After converting a fourth down try, Showers racedthe final 13 yards to paydirt and it was 14-0.

Tomcat quarterback Clint Hatten ignited his team’s offense on thenext series, completing three passes for 31 yards. That set up a30-yard TD sprint down the left sideline by speedy DarionArrington. Sam Fountain missed the extra point and BHS led14-6.

Quickly responding, the Panthers went 69 yards in 5 players, aidedby a pass interference penalty. Harris hooked up with DevonteStewart for 32 yards and the TD.

Linebacker Kalen Calcote set up the next Panther TD with aninterception of Hatten at midfield. Harris launched a long bomb toRoss Hill on first down and he outran defenders to the end zone,pushing BHS ahead 28-6 with 46 seconds left in the half.

Ole Brook head coach Tucker Peavey has never lost a homecoming gamein his nine years at the helm. A 1980 BHS graduate, Peavey’s classwas among those honored this week.

“We started fast in the first half and we were clicking,” saidPeavey. “We hung on in the second half. They got a cheap touchdownout of that fumbled kickoff.”

Peavey’s frustration was evident when his Panthers misplayed apooch kickoff for the second game in a row, allowing Stone torecover the second half kickoff.

That led to a quick 37-yard TD march by the Tomcats. Josh Jamesrushed the final 13 yards over the right side of his line, makingit 28-13.

The Panthers were minus all-state defensive lineman Jawaun Merchantwho was suspended for the game because he broke a school ruleregarding cell phones.

Showers had a big game for the Panthers with 24 rushes for 130yards.

Brook’s offense was unable to reach the end zone in the secondhalf. The Panthers were turned back on fourth down at Stone’s11-yard line with 4:52 left in the third quarter.

The Panthers stepped up on defense and turned back the Tomcatsuntil 47 seconds remained in the game. Hatten hooked up with CadeAmacker for 4 yards and the TD. Greg Sims blocked the PATkick.

Brian Oaks, Stone’s tall, redheaded coach, was disappointed by thedefeat. “Give Brookhaven credit. They made the big plays in thefirst half and we didn’t get our offense going. Coach Peavey does agood job with them and you can’t make mistakes against a goodteam.”

Peavey’s Panthers visit ancient rival McComb (4-5, 1-4) for aregion test Friday night. Stone hosts Forest Hill (5-4, 2-3), a34-15 winner over McComb.