Credit the Brookhaven Academy Cougars. They almost pulled offthe biggest upset of the week Friday night in their seasonopener.

Brookhaven had No. 1 preseason AA favorite Simpson County on theropes Friday until the final 4 minutes of the game. The visitorsscored 2 quick fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull out a 29-21heartbreaking win over the worn-out hosts who had led 21-6.

“BA played real good,” said Simpson head football coach BillyWayne Hankins following the win. “We had 7 turnovers. We were luckyto win. Our kids never gave up.”

The game was delayed 49 minutes due the installation of a newtransformer.

The Brookhaven defense played outstanding. They forced 7turnovers in the game and recovered 5. Linebacker Landon Mageerecovered 2 fumbles and converted one into a touchdown. Alsorecovering a fumble were tackle Wesley Taylor, defensive back DustyBratton and linebacker Paul Davis.

“They (Simpson) had too much speed,” said Brookhaven Academyhead football coach Ray Ishee. “We were tired. They had more folksthan us. The kids gave a great effort. We played the No. 1 team inthe state nip and tuck. We had nine playing both ways.”

The big play of the game came in the fourth quarter following a15-yard pass-interception return for a TD by Simpson’s PrestonHarris. It cut Brookhaven’s lead to 21-20 with 3:14 left toplay.

Simpson drew Brookhaven offsides on the extra point try andfollowed up with a 2-point conversion run by runningback ReginaldNapier for the 1-point, 22-21 lead.

“Our plan was to draw BA off sides on the 2-point try,” addedHankins. ” We drew them offsides.”

Brookhaven scored on its second possession in the first quarter.Taylor’s fumble recovery at the Simpson 26-yard line set up the4-play execution. Quarterback Collins Case hit tailback Eric Terryfor a 43-yard touchdown and Bruce Brady kicked his first of 3 PATs.Brookhaven led 7-0 with 5:37 left.

Four plays later, Simpson punted and Brookhaven took over at itsown 49. The host Cougars ran 5 plays and scored on a 24-yard burstby Bratton for the touchdown and a 14-0 advantage with 2:11 left inthe first quarter.

In the third quarter, Magee recovered a Simpson fumble in theend zone for six quick points and a 21-6 lead with 9:37 left inthird quarter.

Simpson cut the Brookhaven lead to 14-6 at the 2:44 mark in thesecond quarter on a 63-yard, 9-play drive. Quarterback MitchellGarner hit runningback Shannon Steed for a 24-yard TD. Brookhavenstopped the run for two points.

In the fourth quarter, a 59-yard pass-play from Garner to Harrisresulted in an 8-point score that cut Brookhaven’s lead to 7points, 21-14. Garner hit Harris for the 2-point conversion.

With 1:12 left in the game, Brookhaven had the football andtrailed by1 point, 22-21. Case’s third-down pass attempt wasdeflected and picked off by Steed who returned it 22 yards for theTD and a 29-21 lead with 15.3 seconds remaining. Justin Blairkicked the PAT for Simpson.

For the game, Case completed 4 of 19 passes for 84 yards, 1touchdown and 3 interceptions. Garner completed 3 of 9 passes for94 yards and 2 TDs.

Leading the Brookhaven receiving corps was Terry with 2 catchesfor 58 yards. Cameron Achord followed with 1 catch for 18 yards andStewart Sessums with 1 catch for 8.

Brookhaven’s running game was directed by Bratton who had with13 rushes for 90 yards. Jonathan Watts rushed for 15 yards on 6carries.

Harris paced Simpson with 10 rushes for 74 yards. Napier carried14 times for 51 yards.

Defensively, Magee led Brookhaven with 9tackles. Watts and Chris Falvey followed with 7 tackles apiece.

Simpson got 6 tackles from Harris and 5 from Steed.

Brookhaven (0-1) visits Copiah Academy (0-1) Friday night atGallman. Silliman shut out Copiah 32-0 last Friday. Game time is 7p.m.