BROOKHAVEN — Brookhaven High School survived a scare from upset-minded Natchez High School as the Panthers held on for a 42-33 win over the Bulldogs in an MHSAA Region 3-5A game Friday night.

Brookhaven (7-1, 4-0) jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and led Natchez High 21-7 early in the second quarter before the Bulldogs tied it up at 21-all with about 5:00 to go in the first half.

“I’m really proud of my guys for the way they played. They played hard the whole game,” Natchez High head coach Roy Rigsby said. “I liked their effort and the way they handled adversity.”

The Panthers regained their poise and scored two touchdowns late in the second quarter to take a 35-21 lead into halftime. The Bulldogs made it a 35-27 game in the third quarter. But Brookhaven scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter to keep Natchez High at arms’ length.

As to what the difference in the outcome of the game was, Rigsby said, “Calls (penalties).”

Rigsby said that Brookhaven was what he expected the Panthers to be.

“They’re a well-coached team. They have great defensive line play and a pretty good offensive line,” Rigsby said.

Natchez High (4-4, 1-3) host Region 3-5A newcomer North Pike next Friday at 7 p.m.