10/20/2025
The visiting sideline at Sumrall High doesn’t leave much room for movement. The space was tightly packed on Friday, filled with Brookhaven High players and coaches, all working to get an eventual 21-9 win over the homestanding Bobcats.
Late in the game, Brookhaven High sophomore defensive back Tanner Hardy snagged an interception, his third of the game, to shut down another Sumrall drive.
“That’s three for him,” yelled a Brookhaven High fan that was pacing along the fence line, too nervous to sit down, as I stood near him.
We struck up a conversation about the game.
Do you have a grandchild on the team, I asked him.
“No, but I’ve got one in the band,” he said, pointing over his shoulder towards The Pride of Ole Brook.
I introduce myself and ask his name.
“Michael Thrasher,” he replies.
Like Michael Thrasher that played on the 2004 state championship team and then was on the 2006 team at Co-Lin, that Michael Thrasher?
His face lights up.
“That’s my boy,” he beams.
You got a favorite game from that year, the state championship season, I ask.
“All of them, man, all of them,” he says with a laugh. “That Wayne County game was a good one.”
Yes sir it was, that’s how you know it was a classic, because we’re talking about it over 20 years later.
Down the fence, watching the game, are some other great players off that 2004 team.
Your son isn’t here tonight, is he?
“No, he lives in Dallas and works for Lowe’s,” replies Mr. Thrasher.
So, after he graduated, you kept watching the Panthers play football and after your granddaughter graduates, are you still going to be watching BHS?
“Exactly,” he says with a laugh, “and it’s just what you do if you live in Brookhaven. I grew up in Hazlehurst, but I’ve lived in Brookhaven for a long time and watching the Panthers is just what we do on a Friday night.”
I pull out a $25 gift card to Zaxby’s.
I know you love Brookhaven High football, but what about Zaxby’s, I ask.
“Yes sir, I’m a big fan of their salads,” he replies.
I hand him the card and tell him to go have his next Zalad on Y’all Sports and his locally owned Zaxby’s.
“Aww man,” he says with a smile.
“I sure will, tell them I said thank you. I’ll probably be there tomorrow,” he says with a grin and a smile, carrying himself with the type of affable air that makes a stranger want to come up and have a quick chat with Michael Thrasher Sr., our Zaxby’s Fan of the Week.