Some things just aren’t meant to be. For Brookhaven Academy,that old saying was the case in the MAIS Class AA South Statechampionship game. Brookhaven hosted River Oaks, La in a rematch oflast year’s South title game but this time around the Mustangstasted revenge. River Oaks got a 22-yard field goal as the finalsecond ticked off the clock for a 17-14, heart-breaking victoryover the host Cougars on R.M. “Red” Stuard Field. The Mustangs(12-1) move on to face Leake Academy in the AA State championshipgame Friday at Millsaps College in Jackson. Leake (9-3) eliminatedNorth Delta 42-35 in the North AA title game.

Brookhaven, the defending state champion, ends its season with a12-2 mark.

“We lost a tough game tonight.” said BA head coach HerbertDavis. “Our defense played their tails off. We stopped themoffensively time after time but it was one big play that hurtus.

“Both of our losses this year were because of special teams. Wegave up a kickoff against Trinity that was the difference and apunt return tonight. If we don’t give that up, we win the game.It’s a tough loss to swallow.”

“I’m proud of this team and these seniors.” added Davis. “Theyaccomplished a lot in their careers here with a state championshipand a lot of victories. Even though it’s a tough loss to deal withthey have a lot to be proud of. I wish we could’ve won state againbut it just didn’t happen.”

Brookhaven struck first in a defensive struggle that saw bothteam’s offensive units struggle to find any rhythm. Brookhaven wasable to put together a 9- play, 85-yard drive late in the firstquarter that ended with Chandler Rogers connecting with Bubba Keenefrom 13 yards out. Tyler Trout added the extra point for a 7-0Cougar lead with 53 seconds left in the first.

River Oaks responded and put together its first scoring drive,marching 89 yards in 13 plays before Ryan McGregor connected withWalker Thurmon from 11 yards out. Brogan Brasseaux added the extrapoint, knotting things up at the half.

The defensive struggle continued in the second half as neitherteam could register a score until Teshadi Talton took a BA punt andraced 65 yards for the score with 4:38 remaining in the game.Brasseaux added the extra point for a 14-7 River Oaks lead.

Rogers and company took possession at their own 43-yard line onthe ensuing drive. The senior quarterback engineered a 5-play,57-yard drive that ended with Rogers connecting with Jennings Millsfrom 13 yards out. Trout added the extra point, tying the game at14-14 with 2:40 showing on the clock.

But the Mustangs would have the last say, going 61 yards in 9plays before Brasseaux kicked a 22- yard field goal as timeexpired.

Rogers led the Brookhaven offense, picking up 153 yards on 22carries. Through the air, he completed 12 of his 24 pass attemptsfor 137 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted threetimes.

Landon Nettles added 53 yards on 9 carries in support. BubbaKeene caught 5 passes for 44 yards with one touchdown. Mills added35 yards on 4 receptions with a touchdown.

Talton led the Mustangs offense with 90 yards on 15 carries.McGregor completed 5 of his 13 pass attempts for 67 yards with atouchdown.

On defense, Bailey Hodge led Brookhaven with 13 tackles. MarkRushing and Jeff Rushing each added 12 stops. C.J. Duckworth andAlan Michael Allred each had 11 tackles.

Rogers ends his career at Brookhaven Academy setting records injust about every possible category. Rogers passed for an even 8,800yards in three seasons after totaling 3,002 yards in his seniorcampaign. On the ground, Rogers added 2,125 yards over threeseasons, giving him 10,925 total offense yards, eclipsing formerstandout BA quarterback Price Sessums who totaled 9,189 total yardsin his career.

Rogers also accounted for an MAIS career record 131 touchdownsin those three seasons. He is second only to Dylan Favre of St.Stanislaus for the overall state record.