Gains made by Brookhaven in the first half were too difficult to overcome. South Jones nearly matched the Panthers’ point for point in the second half Friday night, but a 19-6 first-half deficit proved too much for the Braves to bounce back from.
South Jones fell to Brookhaven 41-27 on The Reservation as the Braves fall to 5-6 overall and 2-4 in Region 3-5A.
“We didn’t do the little things right,” said South Jones head coach Roger Satcher. “But a lot of it had to do with how good Brookhaven is. Our kids gave us plenty of effort. We had a few chances but didn’t take advantage of them.”
Click on the link to hear the full postgame interview with Coach Satcher: https://youtu.be/tkygSZwEDkU
Second half scoring was not an issue. Each team reached the end zone thrice. Only a point separated the two, Brookhaven scored 22 points to South Jones’ 21.
The Braves pulled within a score three times in the final half. Senior quarterback John Mitchell’s 3-yard touchdown rush on their opening drive pulled South Jones within six, 19-13, after a successful Mark Diers extra-point.
When Brookhaven jumped back in front two scores, South Jones answered again. Forcing a fumble, the Braves scored six on a Travis Conner scoop and score of 57 yards. South Jones trailed 27-20 at that point with 57.1 seconds left in the third quarter.
Shortly into the fourth quarter, Brookhaven once again pushed out in front with a two-touchdown lead. Senior Don Blandon’s 14-yard rushing touchdown gave the Panthers a 34-20 lead after a successful PAT.
Two possessions later, on a fourth and six from Brookhaven’s 18-yard line, Mitchell escaped trouble in the pocket and hit senior back Vakeilon Campbell in the end zone for his second passing score of the night.
Brookhaven sealed the game on the ensuing possession when sophomore running back Gabriel Burnett notched his second 30-yard rushing touchdown in the contest. Burnett led the Panthers with three scores.
What this means:
Both entered Friday night’s Region 3-5A bout as a team on the bubble of a less than thrilling No. 4 seed slot in the region. The win secures Brookhaven a spot in the upcoming playoffs, however, as a No. 4 seed in 3-5A, the Panthers are set to square off against Region 6-5A champs Hattiesburg on Nov. X.
South Jones had tried to reach the playoffs for a second straight year but was denied in its attempt. The Braves conclude the 2018 season next Friday night on the road at Wingfield (0-11). A win vs. Wingfield would keep the Braves from a losing season for the fourth straight year.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Scoring summary:
1Q
BHS- Sevante Quinn TD pass of 24 yards to Byrion Robinson. 6-0 BHS (
BHS- JQ Edwards TD run of 42 yards. 12-0 BHS (2:55).
2Q
SJ- John Mitchell TD pass of 17 yards to Chad Moses. 12-6 BHS (7:18).
BHS- Gabriel Burnett TD rush of 30 yards. 19-6 BHS (5:45).
3Q
SJ- John Mitchell TD rush of 3 yards. 19-13 BHS (7:56).
BHS- Gabriel Burnett TD rush of 35 yards. 2-point conversion. 27-13 BHS (7:50).
SJ- Travis Conner scoop and score of 57 yards off BHS fumble. 27-20 BHS (57.1).
4Q
BHS- Don Blandon TD rush of 14 yards. 34-20 BHS (11:13).
SJ- John Mitchell TD pass of 18 yards to Vakeilon Campbell. 34-27 BHS (6:49).
BHS- Gabriel Burnett TD rush of 30 yards. 41-27 BHS (4:44).
