For three quarters, the Central Private Rebels had the Cougarsof Brookhaven Academy right where they wanted them Fridaynight.

For three quarters, the Central Private Rebels had the Cougarsof Brookhaven Academy right where they wanted them Friday night.The Rebels entered the fourth quarter with an overwhelming 33-22lead. Then the Cougars did something uncommon as they produced athrilling comeback for a narrow 40-33 victory.

“We played real hard tonight,” said Cougar head coach DougClanton. “We had people playing new positions most of the night,because of injuries.”

Brookhaven Academy linebacker Chase Magee, one of the Cougars’top tacklers, sustained a torn ACL in the first half.

Clanton watched his 4-2 Cougars take a quick 7-0 lead as seniorfullback Dustin King scored from 66 yards out. Sophomore BrandonAchord provided the PAT.

The Rebels (0-6) returned the favor quickly as Joel FonenetAmedee scored from three yards out for the quick 7-7 tie. Amedeeadded another touchdown as the first quarter came to a close withCentral Private entertaining a stunning 13-7 lead.

The Cougars responded with yet another scoring strike as RyanNix found the endzone from five yards out. Sessums added the2-point conversion and the Cougars led 15-12. Sessums ended thefirst half of play with a 1-yard plunge and added the two pointerfor a 22-13 lead at the break.

The third quarter featured a complete turnaround by the Rebelsof Central Private as junior quarterback Gregory Pouge took to theground on a tackle-breaking 12-yard scamper. Amedee took off next,scoring 2 quick touchdowns on 37 and 30 yard runs. Senior kickerKelly Lipscomb added the additional PAT’s and the Rebels held acommanding 33-22 lead heading into the final frame.

The Cougars hit the lucky streak in the fourth quarter asSessums ping-ponged off the Rebel defense for a 34-yard scoringjaunt. After the quarterback sneak on the PAT, the Cougars trailed33-30.

The Rebels looked as if they were in position to return theCougars TD, but a third down tackle by Nix and a holding penaltyended all hopes as the Rebels faced fourth-and-20 at their own35.

On fourth down, Amedee mishandled the snap from center and threwthe ball away in panic. The Cougars returned the Rebel mistake in a45-yard dash by Nix. Achord provided the PAT kick and the Cougarsreclaimed the lead 37-33.

The Rebels next possession featured a slate full of penalties,forcing the Rebels to punt. The Cougars answered the punt in 7plays with an 27-yard field goal by Achord.

The Rebels rallied the troops in the final minutes, producingback-to-back first down by Amedee. That set up a first-and-ten atthe Cougar 39. After 2 run stuffers by the Cougar defense, theRebels took to the air and the endzone as Pouge threw a quick43-yard pass toward Amedee. Cougar sophomore Will Rushing flattenedany comeback hopes with a mid-air interception in the endzone.

“We played our tails off tonight,” said first year Rebel headcoach Edwin Sheridan. “We had our chances. We just let them slipaway time after time. Brookhaven (Academy) has a good team. Theyshould be playing in November, when the state playoffs begin.”

Offensively for the Cougars, King led all rushers with 165 yardson 18 carries. Nix produced 80 yards on 17 carries and Sessums had9 carries for 60 yards.

Amedee led the Rebel attack with 202 yards on 16 carries. Pougefinished with 42 yards on 16 rushes.

Defensively, the Cougars were led by Rushing with 11 tackles, asack and an interception. King finished with 10 tackles and 2sacks. Achord and Nix chipped in with 7 tackles. Amedee led theRebels with 8 tackles. Anthony Hunt had 7 tackles.

The Cougars resume conference play Friday at Oak Forest inAmite, La. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

@Bbstandings:STATISTICS CP BA First Downs 14 11Rushes-Yards 47-333 39-310 Passing Yards 27 103 Total Yards 363Passes 3-16-1 5-14-0 Fumbles-Lost 2-0 1-0 Punts-Average 4-26.32-10.0 Penalties-Yards 6-70 7-70 Central Private 13 0 20 0 – 33Brookhaven Acad. 7 15 0 18 – 40

FIRST QUARTER Brookhaven, King 65 run (Achord kick),8:19. Central Private, Amedee 3 run (Lipscomb kick), 5:17. CentralPrivate, Amedee 5 run (kick failed), 2:15.

SECOND QUARTER Brookhaven, Nix 5 run (Rushing run),11:11. Brookhaven, Sessums 1 run (Achord kick), 0:03.

THIRD QUARTER Central Private, Pouge 12 run (runfailed), 10:02. Central Private, Amedee 37 run (Lipscomb kick),5:05. Central Private, Amedee 30 run (Lipscomb kick),3:11.

FOURTH QUARTER Brookhaven, Sessums 34 run (Sessums run),10:44. Brookhaven, Nix 46 run (Achord kick), 8:15. Brookhaven,Achord 27 field goal, 5:07.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING: Central, Amedee 16-202,Hunt 11-28, Curtis 8-25, Erwin 2-2. Brookhaven, King 18-165, Nix17-80, Sessums 9-060, Rushing 2-14.

PASSING; Central, Pouge 3-16-1, 27. Brookhaven, Sessums5-14-0, 103.

RECEIVING: Central, Amedee 1-17, Curtis 2-10.Brookhaven, A. Smith 2-46, Nix 1-29,Rushing 1-28,King1-1.