Like the cold, gusting northerly wind that swept across KingField, Brookhaven running back Charles Wilson appeared unstoppableFriday night. Wilson rushed 21 times for 200 yards and 5 touchdownsin Ole Brook’s 42-20 triumph over the Lawrence County Cougars.

Wilson, 1 of 19 seniors on the BHS squad, scored on runs of 9,5, 80, 1 and 3 yards as the Panthers (6-4, 4-2) secured third placein the Region 6-4A race. Junior quarterback Charles (Bobo) Ranciferfollowed Wilson with 144 rushing yards and 1 TD. He also passed for83 yards in the offensive show that saw the Panthers leading 28-14in the first quarter.

The state playoffs begin Friday and BHS travels to Vancleave(6-3, 4-2), the Region 7-4A runner-up. Lawrence County (5-5, 3-3),hoping to land a playoff berth, needed a victory over the Panthers.Instead, Mendenhall (6-4, 3-3) advances as the No. 4 team out ofRegion 6-4A and plays No. 1 seed Forrest County AHS atBrooklyn.

Terry defeated McComb 14-10 Friday night to claim a secondstraight Region 6-4A title. Terry (9-1, 5-1) and McComb (7-2, 4-1)will host opening round state playoff games. McComb hosts Gautierand Terry hosts D’Iberville.

“We prepared real well for this game and I read by blocks,” saidWilson. Asked about his 80-yard scamper which put the Panthers up28-14, Wilson said, “I read Skyler Smith’s block and I got throughthe hole. Then I just outran them.”

Ole Brook head coach Tucker Peavey said he was happy to see histeam bounce back from a disappointing road loss at Kosciusko. “Weplayed extremely well on offense. We ran the ball well and we threwthe ball well.

“We forced those three turnovers and that was big,” Peaveypointed out. “We swapped some players around on defense and thatseemed to help.”

BHS senior free safety R.J. Jenkins said the win was significantfor the seniors. “It’s beyond words. It’s special.”

Jenkins was able to strip the ball from LCHS running backKendrick Hardy after Hardy had broken loose on a 41-yard gainer toBrook’s 20-yard line. On Brook’s first offensive play, Wilson brokeloose and rambled 80 yards to paydirt.

Asked about Brook’s defensive game plan, Jenkins said, “We knewwe had to stop the run. Ninety percent of their offense in therun.”

Hardy, a powerful sophomore, helped the Cougars amass 324rushing yards, gaining 196 yards on 13 carries and scoring 2 TDs.However, all three of the LCHS fumbles led to Panthertouchdowns.

The first quarter looked like the proverbial track meet as theMonsterboard lit up 6 touchdowns. The Cougars scored first, takingthe game-opening drive 65 yards to paydirt. Hardy plunged the final12 yards up the middle and it was 6-0.

Brook responded with a 64-yard TD drive in just 4 plays. Wilsondid the honors from 9 yards out and Will Thibodeaux nailed hisfirst of 6 extra point kicks for a 7-6 lead.

A 5-yard TD run by Wilson climaxed a 50-yard march after theCougars fumbled the return at midfield and Clayton Winstonrecovered. Hardy responded with a 79-yard TD dash., Will Harris ranright end on the 2-point conversion and it was 14-14.

The Panthers began taking control on the next series. Ranciferhooked up with Marcus Smith on a 40-yard completion for a firstdown at the LCHS 34. Two plays later, Rancifer raced 18 yards forthe score and a 21-14 lead.

“Everybody played as one tonight,” said Rancifer. “I had somegood blocking.”

In the second quarter, Brook halted the Cougars on fourth downat the BHS 40. Eight plays later, Wilson plunged 1 yard for the TD.Thibodeaux’s PAT put his team up 35-14 with 5:58 left in the firsthalf.

LCHS coach Mike Davis said the Panthers played well. “Hats offto Coach Peavey and his players. They did a good job and we wishthem good luck in the playoffs. I think our region will dowell.”

Davis said a season-long rash of injuries hurt his team’sprogress. “We lost Will Harris (ankle) early in the game. NickJackson (offensive guard) has played the whole season with torncartilage in his shoulder. He’s going to have surgery nextweek.

“Our kids gave a good effort in the second half. They kept theirheads up and kept battling.”

Peavey pulled his starting backfield early in the fourth quarterafter the Panthers pushed ahead 42-14.

The Cougars scored their final TD with 5:52 left to play.Quarterback Ryan McCall threw a 7-yard TD pass to tight end BlakeStalans.