Senior safety Chad Lagrone and the Brookhaven Academy Cougarsmade school history last Friday night by whipping Bowling Green38-14 to finish the regular season with a 10-1 record, the bestworksheet in the school’s history.

With Oak Forest’s 34-7 win over WCCA, Lagrone and the Cougarsare in the AA State Football Playoffs and visit Simpson CountyFriday in a first-round game.

In the win over Bowling Green, Lagrone intercepted two passesand made 10 tackles to help the Cougar defense post thevictory.

For his accomplishments, Lagrone has been named The DailyLeader Defensive Player of the Week for the 11th and final week ofthe 2001 regular season.

Lagrone runs a 4.6 in the 40.

“It feels good,” said Lagrone about being named defensiveplayer of the week.

Lagrone said it felt good to win the final game of theregular season and set a new record for wins. “It feels real goodto be on the team that went 10-1.”

Brookhaven Academy coach Ray Ishee said Lagrone is avaluable member of his squad. “Chad is such a leader for us on bothsides of the ball, and on and off the field,” said Ishee. “The kidslisten to what he has to say. He’s a tough player who is realsteady for us. He has been very good on defense for us allyear.”

Lagrone talked about his responsibilities as a strongsafety. “When we are in a zone, I have the middle of the field. InTough, everybody locks up man-to-man. And on Tough One, I help outwith the run.”

Joining Lagrone in the defensive secondary are Will Rushingand Layne Moreton at cornerback. Playing middle linebacker areBlake Killingsworth and Johnathan Watts. On the outside are JeffreyWaycaster and Paul Coker.

The defensive line includes Cal Hodges and Tyler Lofton atend, Wade Calcote, Jared Hall and Eric Terry at tackle.

Lagrone said he and the Cougars are happy to be in theplayoffs. “I’m looking forward to it,” said Lagrone.

When asked about the Cougar’s success on defense, Lagronesaid, “Playing together as a team and team speed.”

Team play will be what Brookhaven Academy needs when theyface Simpson County. “We are going to have to play together,”Lagrone said. “We don’t want to make any mistakes. We want toexecute real well.”

Lagrone also plays baseball for Brookhaven Academy. Heplayed left field his junior year and had a .355 battingaverage.

His hobbies include hunting and fishing.

When he graduates, Lagrone wants to go to Co-Lin and then goto his favorite college, Ole Miss.

His favorite football player is Jason Seahorn of the NewYork Giants. He and his parents, Ricky and Debbie Lagrone, aremembers of First Baptist Church.

Lagrone added, “I want to thank God for this season. We hadno injuries. And I want to thank the team for comingtogether.”