Linebacker Chris Falvey enjoys journalism class at BrookhavenAcademy. Taught by assistant football coach Jamie Madison, thelatest class project is producing a highlight film of the Cougars’successful 9-2 campaign.

On the defensive ledger, Falvey should be a star in severalclips. Among the leading tacklers on the team this year, Falveyaccounted for 11 stops in BA’s season-ending victory over AdamsCounty Christian School.

For his performance, Falvey has been selected The DAILY LEADER’sDefensive Player of the Week for the 10th week of the 2004campaign.

Brookhaven Academy head coach Ray Ishee played linebacker atJones County Junior College and Delta State University. He saidFalvey fits the linebacker mold.

“Chris has that middle linebacker mentality,” said Ishee. “He’saggressive and tough. He’s a warrior inside.

“Chris has a lot of natural strength,” Ishee added. “He’s builtlike a linebacker and he runs well. He’s a tough young man.”

Falvey (5-11, 210, sr.) is a 3-year starter on defense. He saidhis best game was against Oak Forest when he made 13 tackles. “Iplayed defensive end in our five front alignment.”

This was Falvey’s first season to play linebacker and he hasenjoyed playing in the middle. He played nose guard lastseason.

“I really like linebacker because you can read the ball a lotbetter than when you are in the trenches,” Falvey explained. Onoffense, he has played fullback and center.

He is the son of Leonard and Becky Falvey. He has a youngersister, Brandi, who is a sophomore. They are members ofPhiladelphia Baptist Church.

In a major rebuilding season, the Cougars made steady progress.Brookhaven’s defensive line was mainly underclassmen, rotatingpositions. They included Wesley Taylor, Chip Wells, Chad Caldwell,Bradley Allred and Steven Durham.

At linebacker, Falvey was joined by Dusty Bratton. Outsidelinebackers included Paul Davis, Steven McKinney and StevenCovington.

The secondary consisted of Cole Hodges and Stewart Sessums atcornerback and Cameron Achord at safety.

“We had a lot of young guys who started and they stepped it upand got better,” said Falvey. “For us to win nine games this year,they had to step it up.”

The Cougars lost only two games this season, both to District4-AA powers, Centreville and Oak Forest. Falvey said districtchampion Centreville, with 17 seniors, was by far the strongestopponent.

“Centreville was big and strong,” said Falvey. “Their intensitywas high, too. Centreville’s offense and defense will hit you.”

Falvey also plays baseball. He pitches and catches but prefersplaying catcher for Coach Stephen Cooksey.

Asked if he would consider playing college football, Falveysaid, “I haven’t thought about it. A scholarship would help pay formy education,” his blue eyes reflecting deep thought.

Two of his cousins, Michael and Randolph Falvey, wereoutstanding high school players.

On the college level, Falvey enjoys following the MississippiState Bulldogs and the Oklahoma Sooners. In the NFL, he likes TampaBay and closely watches Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.

In his free time, Falvey enjoys hunting and fishing. Last year,he harvested an 8-point buck boasting a large rack with a 173/4-inch inside spread.

Looking back on his high school career, Falvey said, “I’vereally enjoyed playing for Coach Ishee. “I’ve had to learn a lotabout defense and reading offenses.”