Brookhaven Academy senior quarterback Price Sessums and hisCougar teammates overcame a rain-soaked football field last Fridayto put away the Silliman Institute Wildcats 28-6 in the seasonopener for both teams.

Despite the field conditions, Sessums picked up where he leftoff last season as the workhorse for the Cougars. He rushed for twotouchdowns and threw two TD passes to teammates.

On the night, Sessums rushed the football 14 times for 82 yardsand completed 2 of 7 passes for 80 yards, for a total of 168 yardson the night. He was intercepted twice.

For his accomplishments, Sessums has been named The DAILYLEADER’S Offensive Player of the Week for the opening week of the2006 football season. In 2005, he was named the DL’s Most ValuablePlayer on the All-Lincoln County Football Team.

“It’s an honor like every other one that I have received fromthe paper,” said Sessums. “I didn’t play well, but we got thewin.”

Sessums, who is 5-foot-9 and weighs 160 pounds, ran the 40-yarddash in 4.5 seconds during Ole Miss camp last summer. In the weightroom, he bench presses 225 pounds and squats 350.

Brookhaven Academy head coach Bo Milton talked about Sessums’first game. “He’s still learning the total system. He made keyplays for us.”

Sessums scored touchdowns on runs of 1 and 24-yards. Heconnected with Daniel Lofton for a a 60-yard TD and Matthew Cliburnfor a 20-yard score.

When asked about his performance, Sessums was honest. “A lot oftimes, I made some bad decisions. After the ball game, I saw someplays that I’d like to have back. But as long as we win, I’mhappy.”

Sessums believed the offensive line struggled with new playerstaking over for the graduated seniors. “We had a couple ofproblems. Some miss communications. This week, we’ll work themout.”

Starting on the Cougar offensive line are Patrick Wallace atleft tackle; Brandon Smith Smith at left guard; Sawyer Smith atcenter; Russ Thames at right guard and Caleb Covington at righttackle.

Defensively, Brookhaven held Silliman to one touchdown whichcame late in the game. Sessums credited the defense for causingsome of the turnovers the offense converted into points.

“Our defense did well the whole time,” praised Sessums. “Threeor four of our touchdowns came off our defense. The defense won thegame.”

Sessums likes the new District 6-AA Brookhaven Academy isin.

“I like it because instead of eight teams, you have five,”explained Sessums. “It makes it easier on everybody.” Two teamsadvance to the state playoffs out of each district.

Sessums expects a tough game at Oak Forest in Amite, La., Fridaynight. “They lost six or seven offensive and defense players. Theyshould still be good.”

According to Sessums, it takes a team effort to be successful.”I’d like to thank the coaching staff and my whole team,” saidSessums. “We plan to get better.”

In his spare time, Sessums says he still loves to play thesports video games.