Christian (Bubba) Keene had another spectacular game at widereceiver for the Brookhaven Academy Cougars. He caught six passesfor 188 yards and two touchdowns in Brookhaven Academy’s 45-33victory against the Bowling Green Buccaneers at Franklinton,La.

That performance has earned Keene The DAILY LEADER’s OffensivePlayer of the Week honors.

Brookhaven Academy head coach Herbert Davis said Keene is a giftedathlete. “Bubba is as good as he wants to be. He’s a tremendoustalent and the sky is the limit for him. He made two of thoseunbelievable, Randy Moss catches at Bowling Green. He went up andbrought (football) down.”

Davis said Keene is elusive after making a reception. “Bubba hasthat knack to make people miss. He can find ways to makeplays.”

Keene plays cornerback on defense. “He’s a hard-nosed kid,” saidDavis. He also punts and returns kicks for the Cougars. Ifnecessary, he can kick off.

He is the 17-year-old son of Ronnie Keene and Tracy Spivey. His dadgraduated from BA in 1982 and played on BA’s first statechampionship baseball team.

Keene has an older brother, Derek, and a little sister, KaleeBeth.

Keene is a primary target for record-setting BA quarterbackChandler Rogers. He said he appreciates his senior teammate.

“Chandler is like a brother to me,” said Keene. “I wouldn’t havethe recognition I have without him. He’s a greatquarterback.”

Keene and the Cougars are defending MAIS Class AA state champions.He feels confident about his team’s chances in the playoffs andmaking a successful title defense.

“I think we have a good chance if we stick together as a team,”said Keene. “We have to be coachable.”

Keene credits much of his success to his head coach. “Coach Davisis like a second father to me. He gets onto me, when my dad isgone,” out of town working for an oil drilling company

The Cougars are averaging 40-plus points per game. Keene said, “Ireally think we have a good offense. We can run and pass. We needto get better every week.”

He said the team has made steady improvement on defense. Wearingjersey No. 5, Keene plays cornerback. I’m tall to be a cornerback.I just play where Coach Davis puts me.”

Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 188 pounds, Keene possesses speedand leaping ability. He runs a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash.

His favorite NFL player is wide receiver Chad Ochocinco of theCincinnati Bengals.

Besides football, Keene excels in baseball where he plays centerfield for the defending state champion Cougars. He also pitches. Inhis spare time, he likes to hunt.

Asked about his future plans, Keene said, “I want to play baseballsomewhere; whatever the best offer is.”

His favorite Major League Baseball team is the Boston RedSox.

Keene had the unique experience of winning three statechampionships last year as a sophomore. He has three championshiprings to show for his efforts in football, baseball andbasketball.

Asked about his nickname, Keene said, “My mother named me Bubbawhen I was a baby. I’ve had that nickname ever since.”

In the first round of playoffs, the Cougars host the Adams CountyChristian School Rebels. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Friday night on R.M.”Red” Stuard Field.

The Cougars need four playoff wins to repeat as state champions.Keene has confidence in himself and his teammates.