Junior linebacker Ben Davis of Brookhaven Academy has learnedhow to play through pain this football season.

Junior linebacker Ben Davis of Brookhaven Academy has learnedhow to play through pain this football season. On Sept. 8, Davisseparated his right shoulder against Columbia Academy and missedseveral weeks of his beloved sport.

Last Friday, Davis moved from inside linebacker to outsidelinebacker and led the Cougars with 20 tackle as Brookhavendefeated Wilkinson County Christian Academy 28-22 in a key Division4-AA game.

For his accomplishments, Davis has been named Daily LeaderDefensive Player of the Week for the ninth week of the 2000football season. On offense, he plays runningback and widereceiver.

“It’s a honor,” said Davis about being named Player of theWeek. “It feels real good.”

Davis, who bypassed a decision on immediate surgery, isplaying with a special AC pad to protect his shoulder in gameswhile he continues with physical therapy. “It still bothers me butnot too bad.”

Eventually, Davis will have to have the surgery.

When he was able to play, Davis started as the insidelinebacker position until last Friday. In a new defensive scheme,Brookhaven Academy head coach Doug Clanton moved Davis to outsidelinebacker and freshman Jonathan Watts to inside linebacker againstWCCA. The switch worked well for both players.

“Stephens McVea is a good one,” explained Clanton of theWCCA top runner. “We all had a busy night with him.”

Davis, at 5-10, 160-pounds, runs a 40-yard dash in 4.6. Hebench presses 215 pounds.

“Ben is probably the second fastest boy on our team,” saidClanton. “Ryan Nix is the fastest.”

Clanton said Davis made a braved decision to continueplaying football after injuring his shoulder. “Ben could have quitand nobody would have said anything else about it. I think thephysician wanted to operate but they decided to go throughtherapy.

“He (Davis) is a tough nut,” added Clanton. “Ben works outpretty hard in the weight room. He’s pretty strong. He’s a hitter.He’s not afraid to stick that shoulder pad on somebody.”

In the win over WCCA last Friday, Davis said he wassatisfied with his game. “I felt like I have playedbetter.”

The defensive line for the Cougars played a big part in thewin last Friday. Last Friday’s starters included Matthew Wooten andCarl Craig at tackle and Dustin King and Adam Smith atend.

Davis appreciates what Clanton has done with the Cougarfootball program, especially in the weight room. “He has improvedout weight program. He’s there for 12 hours a day. He’s a neatcoach.”

Brookhaven Academy faces one more roadblock to the divisiontitle and that is tough Bowling Green team at Franklinton, La.,Friday night. Bowling Green (6-3, 3-0) already has secured a berthin the playoffs.

“We have improved a lot,” stated Davis. “We have played realwell as a team. We need to step up our aggressiveness.”

Davis also plays a wing position for the basketball team. Onthe baseball field, he plays shortstop and center field.

His favorite college football team is Mississippi StateUniversity. In professional baseball, Davis likes the AtlantaBraves.

Davis likes outdoors activities in his spare time. His bestrecent kill in hunting was an eight-point buck.