AMITE, La. — When the Brookhaven Academy Cougars defeated theOak Forest Yellow Jackets Friday night 29-12, they accomplishedsomething that had eluded them for six years. However, unlike inyears past, this victory was not a District 6-AA win, due to thefact that the MPSA realigned the districts in 2006.

The Cougars offense, under the direction of new head coach BoMilton, rode the back of their tenacious defense in the firstquarter and most of the first half before getting on track. TheCougars initial scoring threat came in the first quarter on a34-yard pass from Price Sessums to Corey Dickerson to the OFA 34yard line; only to be intercepted on the following play with 2:30left in the first quarter.

Two plays later the Cougar’s Brandon Smith intercepted Petitto’spass and returned the football 10 yards to the BA 45. Sessumsreeled off an 18-yard run to the OFA 37. After three incompletepasses and a penalty, the drive ended.

Coach Milton said his team played hard in the first half butmade too many mistakes. “We made some corrections at the half andcame out and put up some good numbers on offense.

“Our defense did a great job,” Milton said.

The BA defense continued to make plays as Patrick Wallace sackedPetitto and forced a fumble which was recovered by BA on the OFA42. On the first offensive play after the turnover, Sessums wastedno time scoring the first touchdown of the night. Sessums rolledleft and found no receiver open, dashed 42 yards down the sidelineand dove over for the touchdown. The PAT by Dickerson was good andBA led 7-0 with 4:13 left in the second quarter.

The Yellow Jackets’ last drive of the half was deterred by apass deflection by Matt Rushing. Kolby Byrd and Bradley Allredsacked a Jacket at the OFA 33 yard line.

The Cougars only had 29 seconds remaining before the half whichallowed Sessums to complete a 30-yard pass to Rushing to the OFA 15yard line. With 7 seconds remaining, Dickerson’s field goal attemptsailed wide right and the score remained 7-0.

The determined Yellow Jackets came out to start the thirdquarter with a 27 yard kickoff return to the OFA 35. After a coupleof first downs, OFA was able to score on a 32-yard run by WillStevens. The PAT was blocked by Sessums which gave the Cougars 7-6advantage with 10:28 remaining the third quarter.

The Cougars began at their on 30 and only needed three plays torespond to OFA’s touchdown drive. On second and 10, Sessums loftedthe ball down field to Dickerson who went up with the defender andcame down with the ball at the OFA 30-yard line and ran to the 2before being knocked out of bounds. Sessums scored on the next playto cap a three-play, 70- yard drive on a quarterback sneak.

Sessums, the PAT holder, took the snap, faked the hold, andraced in for the 2 point conversion, making the score 15-6 with 9minutes remaining in the third.

BA’s defense held once again and forced OFA to punt to theCougar’s 14. Two plays later BA fumbled the ball over to OFA on theCougar’s 20 yard line allowing OFA to score on the ensuing play viaa pass from Petitto. The 2-point conversion failed and the scorewas tightened to 15-12 with 6:30 left in the third quarter.

After receiving the kickoff, Brookhaven Academy used only oneplay and 23 seconds for the Cougars Quick Six offense to respond.The Cougars received the kickoff and after a 15-yard illegal blockpenalty, they were backed to the OFA 20. On first and 10, BAquarterback Sessums weaved his way through the OFA defense for an80 yard touchdown. Dickerson’s PAT was good and BA lead 22 -12.

Early in the fourth, OFA turned the ball over on downs and theCougars were able to run the clock on their longest drive of thenight. This critical drive accounted for 4 first downs and 76yards, all on the ground. It was capped by Dickerson’s 54-yardtouchdown run off right end. The PAT was good and the score was29-12.

OFA’s next two drives were ended by interceptions at the handsof Matt Rushing and Steven Watts respectively, which ended thechance of a Yellow Jacket comeback.

Defensively the Cougars were led by Kolby Byrdwith 9 tackles of which 4 were solo. Bradley Allred accounted for 5tackles,

Steven Watts had 4 tackles and one interception; and sacks weremade by Allred, Byrd, Aaron Douglas and Patrick Wallace.

Offensively, the Cougars had 449 yards totaloffense lead by Price Sessums with 228 yards rushing and 3touchdowns. He also had 186 yards passing and 66 yards inreturns.

“It was a complete team effort,” said Sessums. “The defense keptus in it, and our offense made some big plays.”

The 2-0 Cougars travel to Columbia Friday to take on their firstDistrict 6-AA opponent.