BROOKHAVEN

Brookhaven High Panthers

BROOKHAVEN HIGH PANTHERS

PUTTING IN WORK TO REPEAT SUCCESS OF LAST SEASON IN 2022

Brookhaven High was one of the success stories of area football in 2021.

The Panthers improved every week, found their footing on defense with a speedy unit of gang tacklers and finished runners-up in the always rugged Region 3-5A.

BHS beat East Central in the opening round of the 5A playoffs before being eliminated by the eventual state champions from Picayune High in the second round.

Ole Brook lost some sure difference makers to graduation, including a threeyear starter at quarterback and several players that signed to continue their careers at the junior college level.

Longtime BHS head coach Tucker Peavey is hoping that the work that he and his staff will put in each week will have the 2022 edition of Ole Brook football on a similar path of growth.

One of the biggest question marks coming into the season will be the quarterback position.

The plan right now is for junior running back Xavier Gayten to play quarterback and lead the offense.

Last season Gayten rushed for 891 yards and 10 touchdowns while playing running back.

Freshman Dreamus Harron is another option at quarterback. The 5-foot-10, 155-pound Harron will need time to adjust to the speed of the 5A level.

Senior running back Da’Shawn Wilson picked up 336 yards last season as a backup and will step into a role as one of the primary ball carriers this season.

The offensive line will be one of the most experienced groups on the team.

Senior tackle Landon Smith is back and is a player that’s started in different spots along the line for the Panthers for his entire varsity career. Smith stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 300 pounds.

On his left, he’ll have 6-foot-3, 265-pound guard Amareon Dunningan, also a senior.

At the left tackle position Ole Brook returns the biggest Panther on the roster, 6-foot-7, 315-pound senior Amari Smith.

Smith missed the beginning of last season with an injury and when he returned, the BHS offense began to gel.

Playing right guard will be first year starter, junior Brice Ashley.

Senior Jalen Tobias is an experienced lineman that’ll start at right tackle.

Preseason camp has seen a competi-

2021 RESULTS

2021 RESULTS (7-4)

TYLERTOWN 32, BHS 22

BHS 18, MCCOMB 8

WEST JONES 26, BHS 0

BHS 24, LAUREL 12

WAYNE COUNTY 20, BHS 14 (OT)

BHS 32, HATTIESBURG 14

BHS 41, FLORENCE 6

BHS 49, NATCHEZ 20

BHS 45, SOUTH JONES 23

BHS 42, EAST CENTRAL 14

PICAYUNE 28, BHS 3 2022 ROSTER SENIORS

Da’Shawn Wilson, Celb Jett, Malachi Williams, Za Marion Diggs, Tyson Byrd, Daniel Smith, Chris Williams, Donovan Jett, Brodie Ezell, Eric Smith, Amareon Dunnigan, Jalen Tobias, Landon Smith, Amari Smiht, Will Bowman, Bryson Porter JUNIORS

Xavier Gayten, Jimmy Johns Jr, Chaquez Thomas, Jo’Quarlious Quarles, Kenan Quinn, Nathan Lewis, Bradyn Linton, Waltrelle Smith, De’Quane Fox, Jekorion Benson, Kevin Camp, Zach Moore, Austin Pigott, Brice Ashley, Gavin Bennett, Marreo Williams, Bryce Smith, Demontre Wilcher, Eric Williams SOPHOMORES Drew Nelson, Ladarius Wilcher, Markel Smiht, Jacob Williams, Devion Brown, Jamaal Brown, William Buie, Samarion Buckley, Lee Herman Henderson, Ramerize Edwards, James McCullough, Gavin Bridgeman, Michael Piper, Demetri Smith, Devontavious Drummond, Christian Jones, Gaylon Gayten FRESHMEN Timothy Smith, Jeremy Bibbs, Kyle Smith, Dreamus Harron, Caiden Quarles, Zeden Williams, Durrell Washington, Tawain Dixon, Jak Gonzales, Randy Jones, Benton Turner, Zach Richardson, Fabian Washington, Tyvon Coleman,

tion at the wide receiver spot as the team returns little to no experience there and Peavey is waiting to see who’ll emerge from that group.

One position that’s deep is tight end as senior Brodie Ezell, junior Bryce Smith and sophomore Galen Gayten all do different things well.

Ezell is a 6-foot-2, 235-pound state champion in discuss for the BHS track and field team. Smith also works as the kicker and punter for the Panthers and was an MAC 5A All-State selection last season for special teams. Gayten saw time as a freshman last season and comes into the 2022 campaign at 6-foot-5, 225-pounds.

The defense will again have speed on the edge and in the linebacking corp.

“Bryson Porter and Za’Marion Diggs are back at defensive end and both of those guys played well at times for us last year,” said Peavey. “Like wide receiver, the spot we’ve got the most to figure out on defense is our secondary. Still looking for guys to take over some of those jobs.”

Eric Williams and Marreo Williams are two players that will look to contribute on the interior of the defensive line.

At linebacker, the Panthers return leading tackler Malachi Williams. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Williams pairs with 6-foot-1, 190-pound junior Jimmy Johns Jr.

Last season Williams made 100 tackles, had one sack, picked off two passes, recovered one fumble and blocked a punt.

Peavey has a full coaching staff this season after bringing aboard three new position coaches.

“We’ve finally got a whole staff for the first time in a number of years and that’s hopefully going to help with our development,” said Peavey. “When you’ve got more guys on staff, it allows you to devote more time to individualist instruction in practice and film.”

Returning as coordinators are Darian Dorsey (offensive coordinator) and Corey McLaurin (defensive coordinator).

Defensive line coach Cullen Greer and linebackers coach Aaaron King. New to the staff this year are tight ends coach Jack Kelly, receivers coach Tommy Gibbs and secondary coach DeMario Richard.

Last season the region was won by West Jones and BHS edged out Hattiesburg, Wayne County and Laurel High in a highly competitive battle for second place.

Peavey expects West Jones to again have a typically strong team and for those other three schools to be improved as well.