Host Brookhaven Academy and Simpson County Academy came intoFriday night’s game undefeated and boasting 5-0 records when theteams squared off on R.M. “Red” Stuard Field. Brookhaven broke a14-14 halftime tie and outscored Simpson 23-0 in the second half topost a huge 37-14 win in a Class AA, non-district matchup.

“I’m proud for the kids,” said Brookhaven Academy head coachHerbert Davis, following the win. “I was really pleased with ourrushing (117 yards). But we have to keep getting better. We have tounderstand we have to take it one week at a time.”

With the win, Brookhaven improved to 6-0 and remains undefeated.Simpson, coached by Billy W. Hankins, dropped to 5-1 with theloss.

Brookhaven travels to Centreville Academy Friday night foranother AA test.

On defense, Brookhaven held Simpson to 112 yards rushing and 110passing.

Brookhaven was led by junior quarterback Chandler Rogers whocompleted 19 of 28 passes for 277 yards and 2 touchdowns. His topreceivers were Tripp Jolly, with 7 catches for 106 yards and 2touchdowns. and Donovan Lorraine, with 6 receptions for 125yards.

On the ground, Rogers led with 14 rushes for 65 yards. JenningsMills carried 12 times for 28 yards followed by Christian (Bubba)Keene with 6 rushes for 24 yards including a pair oftouchdowns.

Rogers has completed 65 percent of his passes in 6 games for 23touchdowns. He has thrown for 1,290 yards, averaging 215 yards pergame and no interceptions.

Simpson scored the only touchdown in the first quarter for a 7-0lead over Brookhaven. On the first play on offense, Simpsonquarterback Sam Cowart connected with Cade Eiland for an 80-yardtouchdown. Justin Griffin hit the PAT kick.

At the 6:21 mark in the second quarter, Rogers connected withJolly on a 15-yard pass-play for the TD. Tyler Trout kicked hisfirst of 5 extra points to tie the game at 7-all.

Two minutes later, Rogers hit Jolly for a 50-yard touchdown andput Brookhaven ahead 14-7 with 4:30 left in the second quarter.

Simpson came right back and punched its second and finaltouchdown when Cowart hit Eiland for a 26-yard TD followed byGriffin’s PAT kick with 26 seconds left in the first half.

In the third quarter, Brookhaven scored 2 touchdowns to push itslead to 28-14. Mills scored a touchdown on an 8-yard run and Keenefollowed 2 minutes later with a 3-yard plunge.

Fourth quarter action saw Brookhaven record a safety when Cowartcovered a Simpson fumble in the end zone to push the lead to 30-14with 9:24 left in the game.

With 5:44 remaining, Keene broke loose and scored around theleft corner for an 8-yard touchdown that made Brookhaven’s lead to37-14.

For Simpson, Jacob Busby led the running game with 11 rushes for65 yards. Carrying 12 times for 28 yards was Kyle Munn.

Cowart, at quarterback, completed 3 of 12 passes for 110 yards.Eiland caught 3 passes.

Defensively, Lorraine sparked Brookhaven with 12 tackles.Jamison Powell made 10 stops, followed by Mark Fleming with 8.Houston McCullough recovered a fumble.

Simpson was led by Greg Blackledge, Eli Duran and Joey Westerwith 5 tackles apiece.