MENDENHALL — Brookhaven Academy entered Friday night’s showdownwith Simpson Academy sporting a perfect 5-0 record and carrying thestate’s No. 1 ranking in Class AA, along with the state’s longestwin streak at 20 straight games. Simpson sported a 5-0 record and aNo. 3 ranking of its own, plus a powerful rushing attack led bystandout running back Cade Eiland.

Brookhaven countered with all-state quarterback Chandler Rogersand a bevy of talented receivers which proved to be too much forthe SA Cougars to handle as Brookhaven topped Simpson 34-18 toremain undefeated on the season and extend its win streak to 21consecutive games.

“It’s a good win against a very good team.” said Brookhaven headcoach Herbert Davis. “Simpson has a strong football tradition andthey have a good team every time they step on the field. Coach(Billy Wayne) Hankins does a good job of having his guys ready toplay.”

Brookhaven took the first score of the game at the 8:36 mark ofthe first quarter as Rogers dodged defenders and raced 52 yards forthe score. Tyler Trout added the first of his four extra points onthe night for a 7-0 Brookhaven lead.

BA scored again after covering a Simpson fumble at midfield asRogers drove the Cougars down the field before finding the end zonefrom 22 yards out, capping a 3-play, 51 yard drive. BA led 14-0with 5:36 left in the opening quarter.

The only other score of the first half came on Trout’s 31-yardfield goal with 22 seconds remaining in the opening quarter, givingthe visitors a 17-0 lead at halftime.

On the opening play of the second half, Simpson’s offense gotrolling in a hurry as Cade Eiland took the snap and raced 66 yardsfor the first Simpson score of the night. Brookhaven’s Alan MichaelAllred blocked the extra point, and the Brookhaven lead was 17-6with 11:32 remaining in the third.

BA responded with a 3-play, 64-yard drive that was finalized byRogers connecting with senior wide receiver Sidney Chaffin on a67-yard bomb at the 10:02 mark of the third. Brookhaven led24-6.

After the ensuing Simpson drive stalled, Christian (Bubba) Keenetook the Simpson punt and evaded defenders on a 76-yard race to theend zone. Trout added the extra point for a 31-6 Brookhaven leadwith 7:21 left in the third.

Simpson responded with a 5-play, 56-yard drive that was cappedoff by Eiland finding the end zone from 15 yards out for his secondtouchdown of the night. The 2-point conversion attempt failed,cutting the BA lead to 31-12 with 3:04 left in the thirdquarter.

BA’s only other points of the night came with 6:42 remaining inthe game as Trout connected on a 21-yard field goal, capping an11-play, 76 yard drive, pushing the BA lead to 34-12.

Simpson’s final score came with 45 seconds remaining as Eilandscored on a 9-yard run.

“We played pretty well defensively in the first half,” addedDavis. “Our guys came out and executed our game plan well andhelped us jump out to a 17-0 lead.

“But we made a few mistakes in the second half and you can’t dothat against a good team. Their offense came out fired up in thesecond half and made a game out of it. It’s a big win for us tocome on the road and beat a good quality team.”

Rogers led the Brookhaven offense, completing 9 of his 16 passattempts for 177 yards and one touchdown. He was intercepted once.On the ground, he picked up 123 yards on 11 carries and twotouchdowns.

Chaffin was the leading receiver with 2 catches for 78 yards anda touchdown.

Eiland led Simpson, picking up 211 yards on 26 carries withthree scores.

On defense, Bailey Hodge led the Brookhaven defense with 16tackles. C.J. Duckworth and Eli Gatlin followed with 12 stopsapiece. Alan Michael Allred, Jeff Rushing, and Hunter Franklin eachhad 9 tackles. Rushing and Gage Posey each recovered a fumble.

BA returns home Friday night for homecoming as the Cougarswelcome the Centreville Academy Tigers to R.M. “Red” Stuard Field.Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.