The Brookhaven Academy Cougars (7-4) got a 62-yard scoring pass on the first play of the game and never looked back as they took care of Kirk Academy (4-7) 27-0 in their MAIS 4A first round playoff matchup Friday night on R.M. “Red” Stuard Field.

The scoring connection was from sophomore quarterback Tyler Fortenberry to junior receiver Rob Johnson.

Fortenberry also ran for an 11-yard rushing touchdown and hit Collin Waldrop with an 8-yard scoring pass in the first half as the Cougars led 21-0 at the halftime break.

However, the sophomore signal caller took a hard shot in the opening half and was replaced under center by freshman Rayce Stewart in the second half.

BA got their final score of the night in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard run by senior rusher Nick Ogden. Ogden ran for 75 yards on 17 carries. Sophomore John Rivers Brown carried 11 times for 57 yards and Fortenberry picked up 53 yards on nine carries.

Ogden also led the Cougar defense with 8.5 tackles, a sack and an interception. Waldrop picked off a pass and recovered a fumble. Easton Boyte made an interception for BA and Gage Brown recovered a fumble. August Sullivan made six tackles as a defensive tackle for the Cougars.

BA moves to the second round where they’ll face Tri-County (8-2) next week in Flora. The Rebels are the second seed in the 4A bracket with their only losses coming to top seed Riverfield (50-49) and 5A Hartfield (27-20).