Upsets aren’t always expected but when they do happen, it can bevery interesting.

Upsets aren’t always expected but when they do happen, it can bevery interesting.

For the Brookhaven Academy Cougars Friday night was a nightmareas the battle of the Cougars swung Columbia Academy’s way in whatfeatured an unexpected offensive showcase and a 28-22 Columbiavictory. Columbia scored twice in the fourth quarter to produce ashocker.

“We didn’t play well,” said Brookhaven Academy coach DougClanton. “They came to our house and beat us on our openingdivision game.”

Clanton’s Cougars fell to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in District 4-AA,losing their second straight game. Columbia improved to 2-2 and1-0.

The Cougars of Brookhaven opened things up early, scoring off aBen Davis one yard scamper. After a failed PAT kick the BrookhavenCougars held a 6-0 lead.

The Columbia Cats returned the favor at the start of the secondquarter, scoring off an Erik Hatten seven-yard dash. After a failedtwo-pointer the Cougar’s were tied at six apiece.

Hatten, a 155-pound junior, broke loose for 27 carries and 173yards.

The Cougars of Brookhaven then went to the air as the secondquarter rolled along, Cougar senior quarterback Jake Sessumsconnected with pass-happy receiver Grant Case from 30 yards out.Sessums then added the two pointer on a connection with Adam Smithfor a 14-6 lead.

Sessums completed 9 of 21 passes for 156 yards

Columbia answered with a 15-play drive that ended with a Hattenscoring dash. Hatten took in the two pointer for the quick 14-14tie.

Brookhaven had a chance to score in the remaining seconds of thesecond quarter but Sessums’ passes fell incomplete as time ranout.

The Cougars were hit with yet another setback as Ben Davis leftin the second quarter with a third degree AC pull in his shoulder.Davis is likely to miss the rest of the season.

“Davis gave us problems in the first half,” said ColumbiaAcademy coach Perry Wheat. “This was a big victory for us. Weplayed strong on both sides of the ball tonight.”

In the second half the Brookhaven Cougars struck gold as RyanNix found the end zone from four yards out. Sessums added the twopointer for a comfortable 22-14 lead.

Columbia would blow the minds of the host Cougars, scoring latein the third quarter off a 22-yard soaker from Hatten. Hatten lateradded the two point attempt for the 22-22 tie.

After several Brookhaven passing attempts fell incomplete theColumbia Cougars took advantage with a three-yard-touchdown scamperby Travis Burkett for the go-ahead 28-22 lead.

The Cougars of Brookhaven had one more chance remaining asSessums rallied the troops down the field with passes to Case andNix. After setting up first-and-10 at the 14-yard line, Sessumsreeled off three straight incomplete passes. On fourth down Sessumstook the game into his own hands by taking off on a quarterbackkeeper but it ended on a Sessums slip at the 9 yard line when helost his footing.

Defensively, the Brookhaven Cougars were led bysophomore Jeffery Waycaster with 11 tackles. Brandon Achord and CalHodges each chipped in with nine tackles. For Columbia Lee Kemp andJohn Watts each had 10 tackles.

Brookhaven’s next game will be Friday night at home,hosting Rebul Academy.

@Bbstandings:STATISTICS CA BA First Downs 12 17Rushes-Yards 50-248 41-205 Passing Yards 0 156 Total Yards 248 362Passes 0-3-0 9-21-1 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 4-1 Punts-Average 3-35 1-27Penalties-Yards 1-10 4-32 Columbia Academy 0 14 8 6 -28 BrookhavenAcademy 6 8 8 0 -22

FIRST QUARTER BA-Davis 1 run (kick failed),10:00.

SECOND QUARTER CA-Hatten 7 run (run failed), 11:12.BA-Case 30 pass from Sessums (A. Smith pass from Sessums), 7:42.CA-Hatten 6 run (Hatten run), :47.

THIRD QUARTER BA-Nix 4 run (Sessums run),:52.

FOURTH QUARTER CA-Burkett 3 run (Hatten run), 9:30.CA-Burkett 2 run (kick failed), 5:14.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS RUSHING: Columbia, Hatten 27-173,Burkett 23-75. Brookhaven, Nix 15-61, Davis 7-56, Sessums 8-31.PASSING: Columbia, Broome 0-3-0. Brookhaven, Sessums 9-21-0, 156.RECEIVING: Brookhaven, Case 6-119, A. Smith 2-25, Nix1-12.