In a season of superlatives, Brookhaven Academy quarterbackChandler Rogers stood tall in the pocket and produced impressivestatistics. He also directed the Cougars to a perfect 15-0 recordand the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAstate championship.

Rogers, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound junior, was the runaway choice forThe DAILY LEADER’s Most Valuable Player and Mr. Football title onthe 2009 All-Lincoln County Team.

Joining Rogers on the DL’s Offensive Team is Brookhavenquarterback Duwone Harris. The running backs are Byron Kersee ofBogue Chitto, Jennings Mills of Brookhaven Academy, TradareousWilson of Loyd Star and Semmie Smith of Brookhaven. Marquis Hayesof Loyd Star is the DL’s Offensive Player of the Year.

The wide receivers are Tripp Jolly and Christian (Bubba) Keeneof Brookhaven Academy and E.J. Henderson of Brookhaven. Tight endsare T.J. Floyd of Loyd Star and Nick Peavey of Brookhaven.

Offensive linemen include Derrick Henderson and Tameus Hooker ofBrookhaven, Clint (Stump) Stewart of Brookhaven Academy, Trey Reidof Loyd Star and Shane Lewis of Bogue Chitto.

Tyler Trout of Brookhaven Academy is the team’s placekicker.Hayes is the return specialist. Cody Brister of Enterprise andDonovan Lorraine of Brookhaven Academy are the all-purposeplayers.

Chandler Rogers filled the air with footballs in BA’s spreadoffense. He passed for 3,813 yards and 46 touchdowns, throwing justfour interceptions. Running the football, he rushed for 1,071 yardsand 13 TDs.

In the state title game, a 63-28 victory over Lamar School,Rogers provided impressive statistics. He passed for 353 yards andfive touchdowns. He also rushed for 139 yards.

“Winning a state championship was all I was looking for thisyear,” said Rogers. “The extra awards are a blessing.”

Rogers credits teammates and coaches with his high successlevel. BA head coach Herbert Davis invited him to tryout for thequarterback position last year and the rest is history. He had beena running back as a freshman.

“Coach Davis said he would give me a chance if I wanted to tryout,” said Rogers. He has a bright future at quarterback andanticipates another great season in 2010.

Rogers attended several quarterback camps last summer. He saidthe most effective for him was held last December in Orlando, Fla.,called the Darrin Slack Quarterback Camp.

“(Slack) breaks down your passing mechanics with a computer,”said Rogers. “My mechanics have improved a lot.”

His favorite college player is Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.Like Tebow, he also writes Bible scripture on the black tape wornbeneath his eyes for each game.

Rogers said his favorite NFL player is New Orleans Saintsquarterback Drew Brees. He is considering a future career in themedical field.

A favorite in the hallways at school, Rogers receives plenty ofadoration from students in the elementary grades. He said, “Upuntil this year, I never really realized how much the little kidslooked up to you. I try to set an example for the youngerkids.”

Coach Davis said Rogers has been a steadying influence on histeam. “He has a calm demeanor, no matter how good or bad it’s goingduring a game. He’s a quiet leader for us.”

Davis said Rogers has a strong work ethic. “We run asophisticated offense and he has a lot to learn every week.Everyone comments on how good his mechanics are. He comes to workevery day and gives 110 percent on the field.”

Marquis Hayes (5-9, 150, jr.) showcased his outstanding speedand quickness this season as the Loyd Star Hornets rolled to a 10-2record and the second round of the Class 2A state playoffs wherethey were eliminated by Bassfield, the eventual state champion.

As a junior, Hayes rushed for 1,087 yards. He returned 12kickoffs for a 28.2-yard average. He had 8 punt returns for an11.5-yard average.

“Marquis is one of those players that whenever he has the ballin his hands, he can score,” said Loyd Star coach Ryan Ross. “Hehas a good head on his shoulders. He’s fun to coach and fun towatch.”

Hayes runs a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. He bench presses 250pounds and squats with 430. His favorite offensive play is anoutside veer when he runs behind his tackles and cuts back by thetight end.

Duwone Harris (5-11, 193, jr.) made the change from widereceiver to quarterback last spring and led Brookhaven to the Class5A state playoffs. He passed for 647 yards and rushed for 950.

Jennings Mills (6-0, 170, jr.) made his presence felt on offenseand defense for the Cougars. As a running back, he rushed for 1,016yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 26 passes for 399yards.

Semmie Smith (5-10, 185, sr.) rushed for 1,064 yards and scored11 TDs for the Panthers.

Byron Kersee (5-11, 175, sr.) powered Bogue Chitto to the Class1A state playoffs in a major rebuilding year. He rushed for 1,647yards and 14 TDs.

Tradareous Wilson (6-1, 205, sr.) got the touch yardage betweenthe tackles for Loyd Star. He rushed for 1,143 yards.

Tripp Jolly (6-0, 165, sr.) was the top receiver in LincolnCounty and a favorite target for Rogers as he caught 63 passes for1,433 yards and 21 touchdowns for the Cougars.

Christian Keene (6-3, 170, soph.) was another big-play target inBA’s offense. Hw caught 54 passes for 1,112 yards and 17 TDs.

E.J. Henderson (5-9, 166, jr.) was Brookhaven’s leading receiverwith 18 catches for 210 yards.

Nick Peavey (6-1, 225, jr.) was a major blocker in the BHSoffense.

T.J. Floyd (6-1, 195, sr.) provided blocks on offense and wasone of Loyd Star’s leading tacklers on defense.

Derrick Henderson (6-4, 310, sr.) anchored Brookhaven’soffensive line and played in the MAC All-Star Game.

Clint Stewart (6-1, 250, sr.) was a returning veteran for theCougars in the offensive line and also worked on defense.

Tameus Hooker (5-7, 230, jr.) led the way in many of Brook’spitch-run offensive plays.

Trey Reid (6-2, 291, sr.) provided plenty of pancake blocks forthe Hornets.

Shane Lewis (6-3, 240, jr.) made his presence felt on offenseand defense for the Bobcats.

Tyler Trout (5-11, 160, jr.) was a busy kicker as the Cougarsaveraged 40.4 points per game. He made 67-76 extra points and 9 of14 field goals, the longest 44 yards.

Cody Brister (6-0, 175, sr.) was a bright spot for theEnterprise Yellow Jackets. As a quarterback, he passed for 436yards. He rushed for 620 yards. On defense, he made 49 tackles.

Donovan Lorraine (6-2, 180, sr.) contributed on offense anddefense in his first season with the Cougars. He caught 43 passesfor 664 yards and 4 TDs. On defense, he was a leader with 125tackles.