RAYVILLE, La. — Brookhaven Academy traveled Friday night toface Riverfield Academy, trying to win its first non-conferencegame of the year. Offense was not something Brookhaven fans saw alot of, but the Cougar defense gave them a lot to cheer about.Brookhaven topped Riverfield 21-0 and improved to 4-3 on the year.Riverfield dropped to 4-3.

“This was probably the best team effort we’ve had since beatingCopiah.” said Brookhaven Academy coach Bo Milton. “Our defense didan unbelievable job. They kept a good team out of the end zone forfour quarters and shut down their two best players.

“We can’t ask any more of them than what they did. Now we’ve gotto get ready to play another good team next week.”

The Raiders helped the Cougars more than they helped themselveson the opening drive of the game as the Raider offense could manageonly 3 yards before they were forced to punt. Then a bad snap onthe punt resulted in a punt of minus-10 yards, setting upBrookhaven at the Raider 21 yard line. It took the Cougars just oneplay for Corey Dickerson to score on a sweep off the right end. Theextra point attempt failed, giving Brookhaven a 6-0 lead with 9:27left in the first quarter.

Field position was the most important factor in the game forboth teams. The Raiders started every drive in the first halfinside their own 25 yard line. Brookhaven on the other hand,started in Raider territory on every drive, giving the Cougars ashort field to work with. The Cougars added their second score ofthe night with 10:37 left in the first half on a 4 yard run byKolby Byrd. Quarterback Daniel Lofton then hooked up with Byrd onthe two-point conversion, giving the Cougars a 14-0 lead.

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