3-0 BA Cougars crush Columbia

Published 5:00 am Monday, September 11, 2006

COLUMBIA — Brookhaven Academy took its first step towards aplayoff berth Friday night as the unbeaten Cougars defeated theColumbia Academy Cougars 28-7 in the first District 6-AA matchupfor both teams. Brookhaven ran its record to a perfect 3-0 (1-0) onthe year. Columbia fell to 1-2 (0-1) and failed to defeatBrookhaven for the sixth straight year.

Brookhaven relied on its senior playmaker, quarterback PriceSessums early and often as the Cougars took the opening kickoff amarched down the field. Sessums was able to break a 67-yardtouchdown run on the third play from scrimmage, but a Cougarholding penalty brought the play back. The drive ended with aninterception in the end zone by Columbia defender DustinMcNeese.

The ensuing Columbia drive saw the host Cougars march 79 yardsdown to the Brookhaven 1 yard line, but a huge four down defensivestand by Brookhaven ended the threat.

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Two plays later, Sessums broke out for a 92 yard touchdown runwith 1:30 remaining in the first quarter. Nathaneal Sbravati addedthe extra point as Brookhaven led 7-0 at the end of the firstquarter.

“That defensive stand was huge.” said Brookhaven head coach BoMilton. “That was the momentum changer. It went from us possiblybeing down 7 and having to play from behind, to us taking a lead injust two plays. That took the wind out of their sails.”

Columbia couldn’t get things going after the failed first driveand saw two consecutive drives end in failed fourth downconversions.

Brookhaven responded with Sessums adding his second touchdown ofthe night, and he drove in from 18 yards out with 6:36 remaining inthe first half. The extra point attempt was blocked, givingBrookhaven a 13-0 lead.

The BA Cougar defense did its job once again, keeping Columbiaout of the end zone for the remainder of the half, preserving thelead for Brookhaven going into the locker rooms.

Sessums picked up the second half right where he left off,adding his third score of the night on a 31 yard run with 8:43remaining in the third quarter. Sessums then found Johnathan Whitein the corner of the end zone for the two-point conversion, givingBrookhaven a 21-0 lead.

The last score of the night for the Cougars came with 1:50 leftin the third quarter as Kolby Byrd rumbled in from 13 yards out.Sbravati added the extra point, giving Brookhaven a 28-0 lead.

Columbia’s only score came with 4:44 remaining in the contest asKyle Walley dove in from 3 yards out. McNeese added the extrapoint, ending the scoring at 28-7.

“We had some good motivation coming in.” said Sessums. “No oneon this team has been to the playoffs and that’s our goal. We knewthe winner of this game was pretty much guaranteed a spot, so wewanted to come down here and take care of business.

“Our line played very well.” added Sessums. “We had some thingsthat we’d been working on come together tonight and everyone didtheir jobs. We’ve improved each week, and if we keep working weshould be OK.”

Milton seconded his quarterback’s comment. “We had a lot of guyscome through tonight running the football and defensively. Kolby(Bryd), Nathaneal (Sbravati) and Bradley (Allred) all did a greatjob of picking up some big yards for us. Our defense is playingwell and our offensive line is blocking well.”

Sessums lead the Brookhaven offense with 235 yards on 10 carriesand 3 touchdowns. He was 0-2 through the air with an interception.Sbravati followed Sessums with 54 yards on 7 attempts. Byrd wasable to pick up 38 yards on 6 carries with a touchdown.

Ryan Stewart led Columbia with 80 yards on 15 carries. EvanPowell followed with 12 rushes for 47 yards.

McNeese completed 5 of his 10 pass attempts for 121 yards. CodyStogner was the leading receiver with 3 catches for 59 yards.

On defense, Byrd led Brookhaven with 12tackles. Aaron Douglas followed with 11 stops and Steven Wattsadded 8. Corey Britt recovered a fumble.

Brookhaven returns homethis week to host Wilkinson CountyChristian Academy. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.