Brookhaven Academy welcomed the Riverfield (La.) Raiders to R.M.”Red” Stuard Field Friday night to celebrate Homecoming. Afterwatching Rosemary Moak crowned as Homecoming Queen 2008, theCougars overcame a sloppy first half to ensure the large crowd ofblue and white had a lot to cheer about. Brookhaven topped theRaiders 23-13 in a non-district match to improve to 5-2 overall.Riverfield dropped to 5-2 as Brookhaven won its fourth straightgame.

“It was a sloppy, ugly win,” said BA head coach Herbert Davis,Jr. “We weren’t physical or disciplined on the defensive side ofthe ball but we threw the ball well. We’ve got to get back tofocusing on the little things if we’re going to make it veryfar.”

Brookhaven started the scoring in the first quarter after aRiverfield fumble set the Cougars up at the Raider 14-yard line.Sophomore quarterback Chandler Rogers found Scottie Peavey on thefirst play for the score. The two-point conversion attempt failed,giving the Cougars a 6-0 lead with 6:24 left in the firstquarter.

Riverfield answered with 2:55 left in the first half after an11- play 65-yard drive that was capped off by a 7 yard run by BradRogers. Jon Taylor Davis added the extra point, allowing theRaiders to carry a 7-6 lead into halftime.

Brookhaven took control of the game on a 9-play, 68-yard driveto open the third quarter that saw Kolby Byrd score on a 1 yard runwith 7:05 left. Byrd added the two-point conversion run for a 14-7Brookhaven lead.

After a forced fumble by the Brookhaven defense, the Cougarsadded a 25-yard field goal from Nathaniel Sbravati with 1:24 leftin the quarter, giving the hosts a 17-7 lead.

Riverfield answered with 5:40 to go in the game on a 4-yard runby Brad Rogers. The two-point conversion attempt failed, closingthe Brookhaven lead to 17-13.

Riverfield appeared to be in business on the next Brookhavenpossession, forcing the Cougars into a third down and ninesituation at the Raider 47 yard line, but Byrd took the direct snapand found Peavey on a 47-yard pass for the score. The extra pointattempt failed, ending the scoring at 23-13.

Rogers led the Brookhaven offense, completing 14 of his 21 passattempts for 189 yards and a touchdown. Byrd completed his onlypass attempt for 47 yards and a touchdown. Sbravati led the Cougarson the ground, picking up 55 yards on 6 carries. Peavey was theleading receiver with 9 catches for 160 yards and twotouchdowns.

Brad Rogers led Riverfield with 20 carries for 47 yards and twotouchdowns. Corbin Cater followed with 10 rushes for 38 yards.

On defense, Byrd led the Cougars with 14 tackles and a fumblerecovery. Caleb Dorman and Nathaniel Sbravati each recorded 10tackles. Will Gatlin followed with 8 stops. Garrett Posey recovereda fumble.

Brookhaven hosts Bowling Green, La Friday night in anon-district match up. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.