The Brookhaven Academy Cougars faced a tough challenge Fridaynight in Trinity Episcopal. The Cougars hosted the Saints in thelast District 4-AA contest for the two teams.

Brookhaven Academy was able to overcome a strong Trinity rushingattack and standout running back Stevan Ridley to squeak out ahard-fought 33-32 victory in a game that wasn’t decided until theend of regulation.

Ridley, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound sophomore, had 335 all-purposeyards, piling up 177 yards and four touchdowns on 37 carries.

After the Cougars had gone up 33-26, Trinity was able to marchdown to the Cougars’ 1 yard line with 3 seconds remaining in thegame. Faced with a fourth and goal from the one, the Saints reliedon Ridley, who darted across the goal line as time expired, closingthe gap to 33-32.

The Saints’ attempt to go for two failed, as the Cougar defensemade a huge stand, stopping Ridley a foot short of the goalline.

“Ridley is the best running back in the league in my opinion,”said BA head coach Ray Ishee. “He’s big and he’s fast. We hit himhard and he just slipped out of tackles.”

Brookhaven was able to open the scoring early in the game whenquarterback Price Sessums connected with Stewart Sessums from nineyards out. After a missed extra point, the Cougars led 6-0 with7:06 remaining in the first quarter.

Trinity answered with 1:01 showing in the first when Ridleyscored on a nine yard run, to tie the game at 6-6. Trinity addedits second score of the half when Zach Rogel ran it in from 8 yardsout as the Saints took a 12-6 lead with 2:45 remaining in the firsthalf.

It took only two plays for the Cougar offense to answer, going77 yards in two plays. Sessums hit Cameron Achord on a 21-yard passplay to the Cougar 44 yard line, and then connected with StewartSessums on a 56 yard strike. After the extra point by Brad Buckles,Brookhaven carried a 13-12 lead into the locker rooms.

Trinity (5-5, 2-4) opened the scoring of the second half with5:35 remaining in the third quarter when Ridley scored on a oneyard run. Zach Rogel connected with Clint Easom for the two pointconversion and the Saints took a 20-13 lead.

The Sessums duo struck again for the Cougars at the 3:41 mark inthe third on a 33 yard pass down the sideline, closing Trinity’slead to 20-19. After the Brookhaven defense forced a Trinity puntto start the fourth quarter, Stewart Sessums returned the punt 75yards to paydirt, giving the Cougars a 25-20 lead with 11:40remaining in the game.

Trinity answered with 9:30 showing on the clock when Ridleyscored on a 5 yard run, giving the Saints a 26-25 lead. Brookhavenregained the lead with 3:40 remaining in the game when Cole Hodgesscored on a 12-yard run. Price Sessums connected with T-Boy Lynchfor the two point conversion as the Cougars took a 33-26 lead.

Price Sessums led the Cougar attack, going 11 of 26 for 199yards and three touchdowns. He was intercepted twice. Hodges gained77 yards on 11 carries and scored one touchdown . Stewart Sessumsmade four receptions for 102 yards and three touchdowns.

On defense, the Cougars were led by ChrisFalvey with 13 tackles. Paul Davis made 12 stops and had aninterception. Stephen McKinney made 10 tackles. Hodges had aninterception.

Brookhaven (8-2, 4-2) plays its final game of the season Fridaynight, playing host to Adams County Christian School. Kickoff isset for 7 p.m.