CLINTON, La. — After just three days of rest following Mondaynight’s district victory over Columbia Academy the BrookhavenAcademy Cougars traveled to face Silliman Institute in yet anotherconference game.

Led by a stingy defense and a balanced, ball-control offense,Silliman edged Brookhaven 33-32 to get the upset win. Sillimanimproved to 3-3 and 1-1. Brookhaven fell to 4-2 and 1-1 on theseason.

Silliman jumped out to an early 6-0 lead at the 5:16 mark in thefirst quarter on a 71-yard run by Matt Williams . He finished thegame with 158 yards on 21 carries and four touchdowns for theWildcats.

Brookhaven answered the score at the 3:27 mark as Price Sessumsscored from 44 yards out. After a missed PAT. the game was tied at6-6 entering the second quarter.

The Wildcats added two more scores in the first half. Williamsdove in from four yards out, giving Silliman a 12-6 lead with 9:32to go in the half. He added his third score of the night at the4:46 mark on a six-yard run, giving the hosts a 18-6 advantage.

Brookhaven relied on it’s big-play ability to claw its way backinto the ball game, scoring 20 unanswered points in the final threeand a half minutes of the first half. Paul Davis got things rollingwith a 1-yard run with 3:33 left, pulling the Cougars to within6.

Brookhaven’s defense held the Wildcats to a quick three and outon the ensuing drive, forcing the Wildcats to punt. Sessumsreturned the Cameron Gentry punt 71 yards to paydirt, givingBrookhaven a 19-18 lead as Corey Dickerson added the PAT.

The next offensive play saw Sessums pick off a Gentry pass andreturn it 40 yards for the touchdown, giving Brookhaven a 26-18lead at the half.

After a scoreless third quarter, Brookhaven was able to add aninsurance score with 8:40 remaining in the game as Sessums scoredhis fourth TD of the night on a six-yard run, pushing the Cougarlead to 32-18.

Silliman drew within 6 points on a 3-yard run by Williams with6:16 remaining. The Wildcats saw their comeback hopes become areality as Austin Hand intercepted a Corey Dickerson pass on theensuing drive and returned it 24 yards for the touchdown.

“Football is a game of momentum,” said Sessums. “We had themomentum through the second and third quarter, but just like thatthe tables turned and they made the plays. It’s a tough loss.”

Sessums led the Cougars with 111 yards on 16 carries and twotouchdowns. Paul Davis had 23 yards on five carries and atouchdown.

Dickerson finished the game 7 for 13 through the air for 93yards. Sessums completed 1 of 3 passes for 35 yards. He was alsothe leading receiver with three receptions for 58 yards.

Cameron Gentry followed Williams for the Wildcats with 13carries for 62 yards. Gentry also finished 6 of 10 through the airfor 69 yards.

Defensive stats and game totals were unavailable at presstime

Brookhaven travels to Amite, La. Friday for a District 4-AAshowdown with Oak Forest. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.