MENDENHALL – The Brookhaven Academy Cougars took the scheduling personally and wrecked homecoming for the fifth-ranked Simpson Academy Cougars with a 27-0 shutout victory Friday night.

From the opening kickoff BA’s defense set the tone of the contest. Senior quarterback Heath Hickman directed BA’s touchdown drive and capped it off by his 6-yard scamper just a few minutes within the first quarter. Trent Cannon would connect on the PAT.

Junior defensive back William King forced a fumble on the ensuing Simpson drive, which would lead to another BA score. Senior running back Connor Dorman made them pay for the red zone turnover by finding the end zone from 28 yards out. The kick failed, and the Cougars took a 13-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Brookhaven Academy continued their ground attack in the third quarter and the long touchdown drive when junior Carter Culbertson barreled in from two yards out. Hickman hit senior receiver Caleb Brown for the two-point conversion.

With just under five minutes left to play, Hickman would find a wide-open sophomore receiver Madison Smith for the fourth touchdown of the game.

Dorman eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark with 111 yards on 18 carries. Hickman completed 6-11 passes for 95 yards.

BA’s defense was led again by defensive lineman Garrett Pace who routinely racks up double-digit tackles. Pace had 11 total tackles with two for losses including a sack and a forced fumble. Senior Michael Fiorella and junior J.T. Cline had seven tackles apiece. Cline had one pass breakup.

Senior Trent Nettles forced a fumble and had one pass break up. Culbertson had two tackles for loss. BA’s defense held the top ranked Simpson offense to 129 total yards.

Brookhaven Academy returns home next Friday, after experiencing a three-game road trip, to host the Silliman Institute Wildcats on R.M. “Red” Stuard Field. Kickoff begins at 7 p.m.