The Brookhaven Academy Cougars and the Copiah Academy Colonelsbegin MPSA AA state football playoff action Friday night. All gameskickoff at 7 p.m.

Brookhaven Academy (10-1) is the District 6-AA champ and willhost District 5-AA wild card Centreville Academy (7-4).

District 6-AA runner up Copiah Academy (6-4) travels toRayville, La., to meet the Riverfield Raiders (9-2), the Dist. 4-AAchamp

The winner advances to the second round of the state playoffs onFriday, Nov. 17.

Brookhaven Academy wrapped up regular season play last Fridaywith a 38-28 road win over Central Private (La.). Centrevilledropped a close 33-28 contest to Silliman Institute (La.).

Brookhaven Academy head football coach Bo Milton has watchedCentreville on film and talked about Friday’s opponent.

“Centreville is big,” said Milton. “They like to line up and runover you. They’re good up front. They line up two tight and threerunning backs. They like to pound it down your throat.

“Defensively, they run out of a 5-2 or a 5-3 with a lot of mancoverage,” continued Milton. “We have to play our best game.”

The starting offense Friday for Brookhaven features PriceSessums at quarterback, Bradley Allred at fullback, Corey Dickersonat tailback, Daniel Lofton at wingback, Seth Cliburn at split end,Kolby Byrd at tight end, Caleb Covington at right tackle, RussThames at right guard, Sawyer Smith at center, Brandon Smith atleft guard and Patrick Wallace at left tackle.

“We have to play good on offense,” said Milton. “I feel we cantake advantage of their skill people. Maybe get on the perimeterand get some passing plays on the outside.”

The Cougar starting defense includes ends Aaron Douglas andAllred, tackles Patrick Wallace and Brandon Smith, outsidelinebackers Daniel Lofton and Nathaniel Sbravati, insidelinebackers Steven Watts and Byrd, cornerbacks Matt Rushing andSessums and free safety Keith Franklin.

According to Milton, Sessums has around 1,700 yards rushing. Hehas a total of 28 rushing and return touchdowns. He has over 800yards passing and 11 touchdowns. Dickerson has collected 550 yardsrushing and over 400 yards receiving and 9 touchdowns.

In the win over Central Private, Sessums rushed the football 31times for 202 yards and 4 touchdowns for Brookhaven. He also added76 yards through the air.

Byrd leads the Cougar defense on the season with over 100tackles. Douglas has 20 sacks. Allred follows with 11 sacks.

Byrd and Watts recorded eight tackles apiece last Friday.

“We expect a good crowd,” added Milton.

Copiah Academy put away Bowling Green(La.)16-13 in its final game of the regular season last week.

Copiah Academy head coach Mitch Mitchell talked boutRiverfield.

“Riverfield has three very good football players,” explainedMitchell. “A quarterback, a running back and a wide receiver. Theyspread it and run out of the shotgun. They will spread youout.”

“They run a 3-5 on defense,” continued Mitchell. “They blitzwith the linebackers a lot.”

The Colonel starters on offense are Daniel Sims at quarterback,Brandon Greer at tailback, Jake Guess at fullback, Alex Guess attight end, Bennett Wilson & Hunter Greer at wide receiver,Matthew Wright & Kent Miller at tackle, John Allen Differentand Gary Strong at guard and Cody Wright at center.

The Copiah defense features Preston Berry and Cody Wright attackle, Dustin Merchant and Kent Miller at end, Jake Guess, AlexGuess, Ben Boone and Matthew Wright at linebacker, Hunter Greer andBrandon Greer at cornerback and Bennett Wilson at safety. Boone andBrice Guess rotate at linebacker.

“We are excited,” added Mitchell. “That is our goal every yearto make the playoffs. We have played pretty good the past threeweeks. Now it’s a 4-game season.”

This is the second straight year for the Colonels to make theplayoffs under Mitchell’s direction. Last season, Copiah fell toSimpson 14-7 in the state championship game.

Academy AA State Playoffs

Centreville Academy (7-4) at Brookhaven Academy (10-1)

Copiah Academy (6-4) at Riverfield, La. (9-2)

Adams Christian (6-5) at Bowling Green, La. (6-4)

Lee Academy (6-4) at Kirk Academy (7-4)

Simpson Academy (6-5) at Leake Academy (7-4)

Indianola Academy (4-6) at Winston Academy (8-3)

Central Hinds (7-4) at Delta Academy (8-3)