Brookhaven hosts West Jones, the top-ranked Class 5A team,Friday night as the Panthers begin Region 3-5A play. Kickoff is7:30 on King Field.

West Jones is off to a 3-0 start and, like Brookhaven, had anopen date last week. The Mustangs have notched victories overNortheast Jones, Magee and South Jones.

“West Jones is ranked No. 1 right now,” said Ole Brook headcoach Tucker Peavey. “They are just a good, solid football team.They have real good speed on defense. They are very efficient onoffense.”

The Mustangs have a veteran quarterback in Ben Stevens (6-1,185, jr.). Last year he passed for 1,617 yards and 17 touchdowns asthe Mustangs finished 10-4, advancing to the semifinals of theSouth State 4A playoffs.

“Their quarterback throws the ball around good,” said Peavey.”Their linemen are good at their assignments.”

The West Jones offensive line returns 5 starters in center DavidIshee (5-11, 220, sr.), guards Matthew Lee (6-4, 320, sr.) andBrett Saul (6-2, 250, sr.) and tackles Joshua Thigpen (6-1, 240,jr.) and Chase Pineda (5-10, 230, jr.).

Xavier Hilton (5-6, 165, jr.), a cat-quick wide receiver, caughtPeavey’s attention. “He is their go-to guy,” and wears jersey No.10.

West Jones is recognized for its quick, aggressive defense.Peavey said, “They have some height at defensive end and the wholedefense is quick. They can all run well.”

Anchoring WJ’s defense is linebacker Artis Thigpen (6-0, 180,soph.), the team’s leading tackler. Dasmon McCullum (6 -4, 230,sr.) is an end who directs the defensive line.

As usual, the Mustangs boast a strong kicking game. Peavey said,”West Jones is always sound in the kicking game. That can alwaystilt it in their favor. They’re not scared to line up and kick a35-40-yard field goal.”

Obviously, the Panthers will need a super effort in their firstClass 5A test. West Jones is the first of six region foes on themenu.

“We must play a consistent, full game,” predicted Peavey. “Wecan’t turn the ball over and give them a short field to score on.We need a good, sound football game.”

Peavey’s Panthers (2-1) are coming off an impressive 27-20victory over archrival Lawrence County. They got 197 yards and 3touchdowns from senior running back Semmie Smith.

Smith was named Brook’s Offensive Player of the Week in theLawrence County game. Nick Peavey earned the special teams awardand tackle Jewaun Merchant received the defensive award.

Recent rainfall has forced the Panthers to practice indoors. OnTuesday they worked out in Sinclair Gymnasium.

Peavey said his team hasn’t been affected much by the flu. Hesaid running back Isaiah White was dealing with a sprained ankle hesustained in the Lawrence County game.

Pierson Directs Mustangs

Coach Scott Pierson, 43, is in his 8th season at West Jonesafter spending 5 years at Bay Springs. His Mustangs finished fourthin their region last season but caught fire in the playoffs,reeling off 3 straight wins, including an upset of Wayne County inthe South semis. They beat South Jones 27-13 in their latest outing2 weeks ago.

Pierson and Peavey coached together on last year’s MississippiAll-Star Team. Pierson has been selected to direct the South inthis year’s MAC All-Star Game that is set for Dec. 19 inGulfport.

Pierson has been watching game films of the Panthers and saidhe’s impressed. “I see speed when I look at Brookhaven on film.They are good at the skill positions and No. 2 (Smith) can fly.Their quarterback (Duwone Harris) has the ability to take it thedistance if you don’t corral him.

“We haven’t played anybody the caliber of Brookhaven,” Piersonadded. “It should be a battle.”

Devontay Barnett (6-1, 190, jr.) is WJ’s main rusher. He hasgained over 400 yards in three games.

“We hope to bring a big crowd over there. I don’t know how wellwe will travel this early in the season. We are used to playing infront of a lot of folks.”

Panther Paws: Last year, in the second round of the Class 4Astate playoffs, West Jones defeated BHS 17-7 at Soso. QuarterbackBen Stevens passed for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Mustangsbuilt a 17-0, third-quarter lead.

The Panthers got 99 rushing yards from Semmie Smith, plus a1-yard scoring plunge early in the fourth quarter.