Brookhaven Academy still has a shot at making the Class AA stateplayoffs but the Cougars must win their remaining District 4-AAgames. Friday night, the Cougars have their hands full when theytravel to Natchez to square off against the Trinity EpiscopalSaints. The game begins at 7 p.m.

In area academy action, Copiah Academy visits District 3-AA foePrairie View, District 2-AAA Parklane (Division 1) is atPresbyterian Christian (Division 2) and Union Academy invadesFranklin, La.

“No. 22 (Steven Ridley) is their tailback but he playsquarterback in their (Notre Dame) box,” said Brookhaven Academyhead coach Ray Ishee. “The games he has won, he has averaged over200 yards a game rushing. He’s about 6-foot-1 and weighs 210pounds.

“He’s one of the best backs in the state,” continued Ishee.”They run the Notre Dame box. That is something different that wehaven’t faced this year.”

Ishee compared Trinity’s Notre Dame box to the one run in thelate 1980’s under Coach Ed Reed who won three state title at SouthNatchez.

“The Saints run a 5-3 on defense,” stated Ishee. “They will lineup a lot of people on the line of scrimmage. They all can run. Theyrun kind of a press defense type of thing. They want to get youinto long yardage situations.”

Trinity Beat Bowling Green 26-14 last week while Brookhavenwhipped Centreville 42-19.

“We are healthy,” added Ishee. “We haven’t had any seriousinjuries. Hopefully we will stay that way.”

In the win over Centreville, quarterback Price Sessums led theCougars with 13 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown. Sessumsreturned a punt for a touchdowns and intercepted a pass for a TD.He finished with 302 all-purpose yards on the night.

On defense, Brookhaven was led by Chip Wells with 13 tacklesfollowed by Paul Davis with 11.

Copiah Academy, coached by Mitch Mitchell, isin the driver’s seat and can capture its District 3-AA title with awin over Prairie View. Last Friday, Copiah (7-1, 2-1) whippednon-district foe Silliman 31-0 while Prairie View fell toRiverfield 40-14 in a district game.

Copiah holds wins over district foes Central Hinds 10-0 andRiverfield 31-10. The Colonels have a 1-point, 9-8, loss to AdamsChristian. Central Hinds knocked off Adams Christian 27-14 to makeCopiah celebrate.

Copiah and Adams Christian are tied 2-1 in district play. AdamsChristian must get by district rival Riverfield Friday night.

Mitchell talked about Prairie View. “Their fullback is realgood. He gets most of the carries. They run it more and mix it upsome. The last few weeks, they’ve run the veer option.”

Mitchell said Prairie View runs a 5-2 defense.

“We have to continue to protect the football,” said Mitchell.”This past week, we threw it better. We hope we can play like wedid last week.

“It is a big one,” added Mitchell. “We have to win it to be inthe playoffs.”

In the victory over Silliman, David Brunt led the Colonles with21 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Daniel Simscompleted 5 of 6 passes for 84 yards and a TD.

The Copiah defense was led by Jake Guess with eight tackles. BenStevens made seven stops.

Parklane, coached by Charlie Newlon, was handeda tough 25-3 beating last Friday at the hands of HillcrestChristian in District 2 AAA Division one action.

Newlon’s Pioneers are 4-2 on the season and 2-2 in districtplay. Parklane tackles District 2 AAA Division Two PresbyterianChristian (2-5, 0-3) which is coming off a 42-20 loss at the handsof Lamer School.

In Parklane’s loss to Hillcrest, Les Mulkey nailed a 50-yardfield goal for the Pioneers’ only points. Mulkey also was the toprusher with 25 carries for 86 yards.

Parklane quarterback Tyler Cunningham completed 9 of 24 passesfor 133 yards. Ben Wahl caught five passes for 40 yards.

Union, coached by John Dickerson, wraps up itsseason Friday night on the road at Franklin, La. TheGeorgetown-based Saints (1-6, 0-3) fell to District 6-1A rivalPrentiss Christian 47-6 last Friday.