Lawrence County might not be at full speed due to injuries butBrookhaven head coach Tucker Peavey expects the Cougars to be firedup Friday night when they invade King Field. Kickoff is 7:30.

Peavey, in his ninth year at the helm of Ole Brook footballfortunes, said he expects a typical Lawrence County squad to getoff the bus tomorrow evening. “They are the same kind of teamthey’ve always been. They are coached well and they don’t make alot of mistakes. Obviously, they are a lot different on offensethan in years past.”

Offensively, the Cougars run a spread formation and a 2-backoffense under new offensive coordinator Jaymie Palmer. The Cougarsbecame famous for their run-oriented Double Wing formation inprevious years, winning a state championship in 1999.

Palmer, a Lawrence County alumnus, was Ole Brook’s offensivecoordinator for nine years before moving back home lastspring.

Adam Watson, a 4-year starter at quarterback for LCHS, went downwith a knee injury two weeks ago in the Warren Central game.Replacing Watson is sophomore Nicholas McDonald (5-9, 165).

Peavey’s Panthers (1-1) lost senior quarterback Duwone Harris to ashoulder injury in last week’s game against Clinton, a 34-21 loss.Harris separated his right shoulder but he practiced Tuesday.

“Duwone was able to take a few snaps,”said Peavey. “We will have tosee how things go.”

Senior classmate Devonte (Te-Te) Stewart stepped up and replacedHarris at quarterback. Stewart authored a commendable performance,passing for two touchdowns and running for another. He completed 9of 19 passes for 131 yards and rushed for 125 yards.

“Our offense is getting better,” said Peavey. “We have to get ridof the turnovers and finish some drives whenever they arethere.”

The Panthers lost three fumbles and they were intercepted twice byClinton.

BHS senior running back Travorius Showers rushed for 54 yards andwide receiver Trent (Batman) Powell caught four passes for 101yards.

“We have to defend the run and the pass with Lawrence County,” saidPeavey. “They have a lot of options.”

On defense, the Panthers recovered three fumbles and Chris Sealsintercepted a pass, plus making five tackles. Jonah Hill and KKalenCalcote each made seven tackles.

The BHS defense gave up 255 yards total offense as Clinton seniorKiko Thompson scored five touchdowns and rushed 20 times for 207yards, plus a 60-yard kickoff return.

Lawrence County coach Mike Davis said his team has been hit hard byinjuries to key players. “We kind of resemble a MASH unit aroundhere. It’s just a lot of unfortunate things.

“We lost our quarterback (Adam Watson) and defensive tackle (XavierStringer) to ACL injuries,” Davis noted. Senior Trevor Havis, theLCHS punter, kicker, receiver, running back and defensive back; hasa torn ligament in his ankle.

Davis praised the efforts of McDonald. “He stepped in againstWarren Central and did a good job for us.”

The Cougars (1-2) lost 20-12 at Tylertown last Friday night. “Wedidn’t make the plays when we needed to. They took it to us prettygood on the 96-yard drive they had. We were kind of down after thatloss but we have to get ready for the Panthers.”

Offensively, the Cougars got 67 rushing yards from AlexanderMontgomery.

Looking at game film, Davis said, “We heard they lost theirquarterback (Harris) but the kid (Stewart) who came in did a goodjob. The jersey number is just different.

“They have a big, good offensive line up front,” Davis continued.”They are tough on defense with No. 75 (Jawaun Merchant). They runto the ball well.”