A winning culture has always been present at Brookhaven Academy. Just four years ago, the football team won a state championship. However, the team has seen a noticeable slide the past few years.

The past two years have seen the Cougars go on a 14-game losing streak, with a winless record in the 2015 season.
With all that in mind, the road ahead may be difficult for the Cougars but new head coach Ron Rushing is up for the challenge.

“We will be successful again here,” he said. “I’m not sure when but it will happen.”

Rushing enters the position after six successful years at Cathedral in Natchez, where he posted a 60-17 overall record with three regional titles and a state title in 2014.
His current position may be his toughest yet, but the work ethic of his team gives him hope.

“These guys have done everything we have asked of them. Motivating them has not been a problem at all. We have had almost 100 percent attendance at summer workouts,” Rushing said of his players.

Inheriting one of the smallest teams in the area with around 17 players expected to suit up, Rushing will have to make the most out of the pieces at his disposal.

Returning senior quarterback Madison Smith will lead the Cougars’ spread offense. Smith will be a major key to the success of the offense, as Rushing said they are expected to throw the ball around 60 times a game.

Fisher Warren will be one of the key targets for Smith in the 2016 season.

The running game will be led by the efforts of Christian Huffman and Grant James. Kyle Cupit will likely be the leader of the offensive line.

On defense, expect to see many of the same names. Fisher Warren will line up at the safety position. At linebacker, Connor Griffin will be at the center of a 4-2-5 defense. Rushing said he wants his team to be sound defensively.

“We do not have a lack of talent,” he said. “The kids have a great attitude and are willing to learn, we just lack depth.”

Despite the odds being stacked against his team, Rushing said they remain optimistic as the 2016 season draws near.

“We are going to give maximum effort, try to capture the crowd and go into games expecting to win,” Rushing said.
“Adversity is sure to come, but we are going to fight through whatever happens and work hard,” he said.

Rushing and the Cougars first test will come on the road at Prentiss Christian on Aug. 19.