Senior quarterback Price Sessums has been the standout playerfor the undefeated Brookhaven Academy Cougar football team thisseason.

In the big 30-23 District 6-AA win over Copiah Academy lastweek, Sessums provided the Cougars with key leadership over thehost Colonels. The Cougars improved to 2-0 in the district and 5-0overall.

Sessums accounted for over 300 yards total offense. He rushedthe football 27 times for 218 yards and 2 touchdowns. He completed2 of 7 passes for 85 yards.

For his performance, Sessums has been selected The DAILYLEADER’s Offensive Player of the Week for the fifth week of the2006 season.

“Its great,” said Sessums. “It was a big game. We knew it wasfor the district championship. Everybody played well. We are proudwe could get out of there (Gallman) with the win.”

Sessums, who is 5-foot-9 and weighs 160 pounds, runs a 40-yarddash in 4.5. In the weight room, he bench presses 225 pounds andsquats 350.

“Price threw two good passes which set up a touchdown,” saidBrookhaven Academy head football coach Bo Milton. “He had a good,solid game. He made very few mistakes.

“He ran really hard,” continued Melton. “He’s so elusive. Ouroffense revolves around him but we have some other people steppingup. That will help Price, too.”

Sessums echoed Melton’s feelings about the Cougar offense.

“We have gotten a lot better,” explained Sessums. “Everybody ismeshing together. We have gotten the new offense in.”

Sessums says he usually doesn’t run the football more than 15times a game. Last Friday, he carried 27 times.

“It was different,” stated Sessums. “Twenty-seven carries is themost I have run in a game. It was something new. We kept callingthe veer play over and over again. It kept working.”

Sessums said he and his teammates realized the Copiah game wasthe biggest of the season so far.

“We knew going into the game, it would be our toughest of theyear,” said Sessums.”Copiah has good coaching and good talent. Theywere as good as we expected them to be. They played great in thesecond half and we played well enough to cut off theirvictory.”

On defense, Sessums plays cornerback and sometimes safety.

“I’m a pass defense guy,” explained Sessums of his cornerbackresponsibilities. “Keith Franklin plays more a more run and stop(position). I am into pass defense. I am more of a coverageguy.”

Sessums said with the defensive line’s depth, the Cougars areable to switch out up to six players to keep the line fresh.

“Our first team defense has only given up 3 to 4 touchdowns,”stated Sessums

Brookhaven hosts Prentiss Christian School for another districttest Friday. “It’s another district game,” stressed Sessums. “If wecan win it, it locks up the district.”

Sessums said this year’s team being unbeaten goes back to thesame group playing together in junior high when they wentundefeated a few years ago.

“It’s the same (team) we had in junior high when wereundefeated,” said Sessums. “We knew we could have a good season. Weplayed hard. And 5-0 is a good start.”

Price is the son of Dr. Kim and Kristy Sessums. His olderbrothers, Jake and Stewart, both played football at Brookhavenacademy. Older sister Joey was a cheerleader.