JACKSON – Ronny McNulty was one of the smallest players on thefield Saturday night but he made some of the biggest plays inBrookhaven’s 29-23 Class 4A state championship victory over theClarksdale Wildcats. The senior running back scored two touchdowns,including a 47-yard pass reception from Jimmy Johns which put thePanthers on top for good with 7:39 left to play.

A crowd, estimated at 12,000, gathered in Mississippi VeteransMemorial Stadium to watch the final game of the MHSAA StateChampionship weekend. They watched to explosive teams matchesoffenses and jolting hits on defense.

McNulty, 5-foot-7 and 156 pounds, also played defense as thePanthers scratched and clawed to slow down Clarksdale’s powerfulpassing attack. In the second quarter, McNulty intercepted aBrandon Strong pass at Brookhaven’s 5-yard line and returned it 20yards to keep the game tied at 7-7.

“It boiled down to who wanted it the most,” said McNulty,shedding his No. 1 jersey after the game and waving to the BHScrowd. Clarksdale was a tough team but we wanted it the most.”

Johns worked at linebacker in the second half and McNulty playedsafety as Brookhaven’s coaching staff pulled out all stops to turnback Clarksdale’s air attack. Wide receiver Bud Chatman also workedin the secondary.

“We made some adjustments on defense,” said Peavey. “We’ve beenbreaking in Jimmy, Bud and Ronny on defense in practice.”

Johns intercepted a pass on the final play of the game atBrookhaven’s 30 yard line to preserve the hard-fought victory.

“It feels great to win,” said John. “We’ve been fighting hard toget here. A lot of us have been together since pee-wee league.”

Peavey hugged Johns after the game as the celebration spreadacross the gridiron. “The first time I met coach three years ago,he told me we could win a state championship.”

Johns rushed the football 18 times for 102 yards and passed for263 yards, completing 12 of 18 passes. He threw scoring strikes toMcNulty, 34 yards to Taurean Jones and 55 yards to Bud Chatman.

Clarksdale countered with a strong aerial attack. Strongcompleted 13 of 23 passes but threw 3 interceptions.

Wide receiver Eddie Hicks caught a 34-yard touchdown pass fromStrong on the first possession of the game. Abdul-Kareem Salamerkicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Brookhaven responded with a 91-yard scoring drive which required13 plays. McNulty went over right end and scored standing up. WillThibodeaux kicked the tying PAT and it was 7-7.

The Wildcats (11-4), went ahead 15-7 in the second quarter. Afake punt, gained a first down at Brookhaven’s 46-yard line andStrong broke free down the sideline for a touchdown on the nextplay. Carlos Kern ran his left side on the 2-point conversion playand Clarksdale led by 8 points.

The Panthers responded on the next series, going 78 yards in 8plays. Jones pulled in the TD pass from Johns. On the conversiontry, Johns was tackled at the goal line and Brookhaven trailed15-13 with 1:22 left to play.

To start the second half, Brookhaven drove 80 yards in 7 plays.Chatman took the scoring pass from Johns, broke a tackle and outranthe Wildcats to the end zone.

Brookhaven attempted a 2-point conversion pass but it fellincomplete and the Panthers led 19-15.

Clarksdale regained the lead on the next series. A 25-yard TDpass from Strong to Eddie Hicks climaxed the 8-play, 66-yarddrive.

Strong called a play-action pass and hit Neal Mitchell on theconversion. Clarksdale led 23-19.

The Panthers got a 2-point safety when Clarksdale punterCornelius McGee fielded a high pass in the back of the end zone andstepped on the back line. That reduced Clarksdale’s lead to23-21.

“It was a real hard-fought game,” said Clarksdale coach JimHughes. “They made big plays and we didn’t. But I’m proud of mykids because they overachieved this season.”

On the free kick, Anthony Caffie returned the ball 23 yards butthe Panthers were forced to punt. Clarksdale only had 3 playsbefore giving the ball back on a punt at the Clarksdale 47.

On first down, Johns hit McNulty who was open in Clarksdale’ssecondary, He outran the Wildcats to the end zone.

On defense, linebacker Marlon Dixon led the Panthers with 9tackles. Virgil Sanders had 8 tackles and 2 sacks. Darius Perkinsalso intercepted a pass for the Panthers.