The Brookhaven Academy Cougars had plentyof questions to answer in Friday night’s season-opening game withSilliman Institute of Clinton, La. How would the Cougars respond toan entirely new coaching staff? How would they replacerecord-setting quarterback Chandler Rogers?

    The Cougars more than answered those questions in short fashion asthe offensive unit exploded in the first half, producing a 60-13win over the visiting Wildcats.

    The Cougars wasted little time getting things going. After theBrookhaven defense held Silliman to a three and out on their firstpossession, senior Bubba Keene returned the Silliman punt to theWildcats’ 18-yard line. On the first offensive play, juniorquarterback Gage Posey connected with Jeff Rushing from 18 yardsout. The extra point attempt failed, giving the Cougars a 6-0lead.

    The Wildcats responded with a 12-play, 85- yard drive that finishedwith a one-yard run by Colt Ducote. Brady Brian added the extrapoint, giving the visiting Wildcats a 7-6 lead with5:59 left in theopening quarter.

    It took the Cougars just 52 seconds to respond as Landon Nettlesscored on a 21-yard run with 5:02 left, capping a 3-play, 56-yarddrive. Keene added the extra point, giving the Cougars the lead forgood.

    The Cougar offense tacked on six more scores before the first halfof play ended. Nettles added TD runs of 15 and 26 yards. Eli Gatlinwas able to score on runs of 12 and 27 yards.  Posey connected with Matthew Evansfrom 31 yards out and added a 5-yard run himself.

     The only other Wildcatscore of the game for came at the 4:17 second mark of the firsthalf as Ducote connected with Cobb Kelly on a 63-yard pass on afake punt, giving the Cougars a 53-13 lead at the half.

    The final BA score of the game came in the fourth quarter as JosephJones forced a fumble by Ducote and recovered the fumble in theWildcats end zone, giving the Cougars a 60-13 lead.

    “Our kids played hard.” said BA head coach Tripp McCarty. “Weexecuted some things well and put up some points, but there arestill things we need to get better at. The biggest thing in a gamelike this is that we came out of the game healthy heading into nextweek.”

    Posey led the Brookhaven offense, completing 8 of his 10 passattempts for 153 yards and two touchdowns. plus one touchdown onthe ground. Nettles picked up 115 yards on 8 carries with threescores.

     Eli Gatlin followed with 5carries for 57 yards and two scores. Keene had136 all-purpose yardsin the game. Ducote led the Wildcats offense, completing 20 of his38 pass attempts for 232 yards and a touchdown. He was interceptedfour times.

     Cobb Kelly was the leadingreceiver with 7 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown.

    On defense, Jacob Philip led the Cougars with 14 tackles. EliGatlin followed with 7 stops. Zach Ashley, Jeff Rushing and BaileyHodge each had 6 tackles apiece.

     Seth Rushing collectedthree interceptions. Ross Foreman and Matthew Evans each had aninterception. Jacob Conley and Joseph Jones each recovered afumble.

    Brookhaven travels to Copiah Academy Friday to face the Colonels ina non-district matchup. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.