Brookhaven senior quarterback Ben Davis continues to get betterand better from one week to the next. After moving from runningback to quarterback this year, Davis has grown into his newrole.

Against Centreville Academy last Friday, Davis accounted for 267offensive yards in the Cougars 24-21 comeback win over the ClassAAA Tigers. The win upset the hosts homecoming celebration,too.

Davis completed 8 of 14 passes for 137 yards and one touchdownfor Brookhaven. On the ground, he carried 20 times for 130yards,

For his accomplishments, Davis has been selected The DailyLeader’s Offensive Player of the Week for the ninth week of the2001 football season.

“Ben is a good athlete who does a real good job of running theball,” said Brookhaven Academy head coach Ray Ishee. “He’s gettingbetter throwing the ball. He does a good job running theoffense.”

Ishee said the Cougars tried to loosen up Centreville’s defense.”We spread them out and threw the ball to our big guys outside. Benthrew out of the shotgun and that gave him more time to look at thedefense. He has been converted from running back to quarterback.Hopefully, he will continue to grow in confidence. He’s playing alot better.”

Last year, Davis was named Daily Leader Defensive Player of theWeek.

“It is a great honor,” said Davis. “It makes me feel good aboutworking hard and pumping iron.”

Davis runs a 40 yard dash in 4.6 and bench presses 215pounds.

The Brookhaven Academy win over Centreville ended a long losingstreak to the Tigers, going back to 1982. “They were bigger than wewere and we hadn’t beaten them since 1982,” smiled Davis. “I hadn’teven been born yet.

“It was their homecoming. They had signs all around saying howthey would beat us. We upset them. It felt good. It helps ourconfidence going in to the next games.”

Davis talked about the pass play to Jeffrey Waycaster that wonthe game for the Cougars. “The play was Seam 12-10. We’d tried itat the end of the first half and it was incomplete. Coach promisedme we would try it again. Centreville was in a goal line set. Theywere man-to-man in the back. Jeffrey Waycaster went up field andnobody was there.”

With the success of the offense has had for Brookhaven Academy,Davis mentioned his linemen who sometimes go unnoticed for theirhard work and dedication. The line includes center Kelly Allred,guards Jarred Hall and Cal Hodges, tackles Chase Magee and BenSandifer and tight end Paul Coker.

Davis feels comfortable at quarterback after several games underhis belt. “It was a big step from last year. I am feeling morecomfortable. I’m getting used to it.”

Brookhaven Academy has a key District 4-AA test Friday night atWoodville against Wilkinson County Christian Academy (6-3).Brookhaven Academy and WCCA are tied for second place with 2-1district records.

“They (WCCA) have a big, strong fullback who we have playedagainst each year,” Davis explained. “If we can stop him, we canwin. And if our offense keeps it up. They have some largelinemen.”

Davis also excels on the Cougar baseball field where he playedcenterfielder last year and finished with a .380 battingaverage.

Following graduation, Davis said he is going to attend collegebut is undecided on a particular major. He definitely wants to playeither football or baseball on the college level.

In his spare time, Davis likes to hang out with his friends andparticipate in all sports. He also enjoys hunting and said his bestkill was an 8-point buck.

Davis follows the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the SEC. In theNFL, he likes the Tennessee Titans.