Brookhaven Academy head coach Bo Milton wasn’t sure how hisdefense would perform in its first game without defensive leaderKolby Byrd but he was pleasantly surprised. Byrd, a juniorllinebacker and the team’s top tackler, sustained an ankle injuryin last week’s game against Columbia Academy and was forced towatch Friday night’s home game with Adams County Christian Schoolfrom the sideline.

The Cougar defense made sure that Milton, Byrd and the rest ofthe Cougar faithful had little to worry about. They delivered adominating first half en route to a 29-6 victory over the Rebels onnewly named R.M. (Red) Stuard Field.

Brookhaven Academy improved to 7-3 overall. ACCS, which onlyregistered 6 yards of total offense in the first half, dropped to0-10. The Rebels are under the direction of first-year head coachPaul M. Hayles.

“Our defense played really well tonight.” said Milton. “We heldthem to minimal yardage in the first half and were able to get ouryounger guys a lot of playing time. Now we just have to get readyto play a really good team next week.”

The Cougars play their final regular season game Friday night,hosting Yazoo City Manchester. BA has won the District 4-AA crownand will host an opening round state playoff game Nov. 9.

ACCS kicked the opening kickoff to Brookhaven, but an onsidekick allowed the Rebels to take over possession at the Brookhaven45 yard line. Brookhaven’s defense responded, holding the Rebels onfour downs and allowing the Cougar offense to take the field.Brookhaven wasted little time on the possession, driving 67 yardsin 7 plays before quarterback Daniel Lofton scored on a 13-yard runwith 5:22 left in the first quarter. The two point conversionattempt failed, giving the Cougars a 6-0 lead.

Brookhaven’s defense, wearing black jerseys and black pants,again held the Rebel offense to a three and out, allowing theCougars to take possession their own 30 yard line. The offenseresponded with another long drive capped off by Lofton findingJeremy James on a 45 yard touchdown pass as time expired in thefirst quarter. The two point conversion attempt failed, giving theCougars a 12-0 lead going into the second quarter.

After another stalled drive by the Rebels, Corey Dickerson tookthe punt, got away from two would-be tacklers and darted 70 yardsup the middle for the touchdown. Nathaniel Sbravati added the extrapoint for a 19-0 Brookhaven lead with 6:41 left in the firsthalf.

Brookhaven got its final touchdown of the game on a strange playat the end of the first half. Lofton attempted a long pass toDickerson at the goal line, but the pass was intercepted by LukeBrumfield for the Rebels. Dickerson then stripped the football atthe one yard line. Players trying to recover the fumble ended upknocking the ball into the end zone where Dickerson recovered itfor the Cougar touchdown. Sbravati added the extra point for a 26-0Brookhaven lead at the half.

Coach Milton substituted his second string freely in the secondhalf, and the only other score of the game for Brookhaven came atthe 5:36 mark of the third quarter as Dickerson kicked a 23 yardfield goal, pushing the Cougar lead to 29-0.

The only score of the game for the Rebels came at the 5:25 markof the fourth quarter. Lee Guedon scored on a 3 yard run.

Lofton led the Brookhaven offense picking up 116 yards and atouchdown on 12 carries. He completed 3 of his 6 pass attempts for78 yards and a touchdown. Dickerson added 34 yards on 4attempts.

Lee Guedon led ACCS with 77 yards on 19 attempts with atouchdown.

On defense, Jeremy James led Brookhaven with 6tackles and an interception. Lofton followed with 5 stops.Dickerson forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.