For sophomore quarterback Price Sessums, the 2004 footballseason has been a great one.

As he had done all year, Sessums’ sparked the Brookhaven Academyoffensive game last Friday and led the Cougars to a 22-15 win overAdams County Christian School in the final game of the season.

In the win over ACCS, Sessums completed 11 of 22 passes for 120yards for Brookhaven Academy. He rushed the football 15 times for106 yards and one touchdown.

For his accomplishments, Sessums has been named The DAILYLEADER’s Offensive Player of the Week for the 10th week of theseason. This is the third time this year Sessums has beenrecognized.

Unfortunately, Sessums and his 9-2 Cougar teammates are left outof the MPSA state playoffs. The MPSA allows two teams from eachdistrict to advance. The Cougars’ only losses came to No. 1Centreville and No. 2 Oak Forest in District 4-AA.

Sessums’ passing stats for the season are staggering. Hecompleted 106 of 201 passes for 2,232 yards and 23 touchdowns.

“We knew Price had talent running the football,” said BrookhavenAcademy head coach Ray Ishee. “His passing has improved. Coach(Andrew) Hickman has helped him come a long ways.

“Price worked hard in the summer,” continued Ishee. “He camealong real well. We were real pleased with his progress over theyear.”

Sessums, who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs just 145 pounds, made upfor what he lacked in size with speed, strength and accuracy. Heused his 4.5 speed in a 40-yard dash and quickness to avoid thegrasp of most defenders. He remained healthy through the seasonwith help of his offensive line.

“Our team improved a lot during the course of the year and ouroffensive line did a good job,” said Sessums.

The offensive line featured Corey Bailey at left tackle, ChipWells at left guard, Wesley Taylor at right guard, Chad Caldwell atright tackle, Dusty Bratton at tight end and Trey Allred and ChrisFalvey at tackle.

“Price did a good job for us,” said Ishee. “He threw for over2,000 yards. He stepped up and filled in for (Cole) Hodges when hewent down.” Hodges sustained an injury against WCCA on Sept.17.

“We were well pleased with Price’s progress during the season,”said Ishee. “He was instrumental in us having a good season.

“Our seniors did a really go job of leading the football teamthis year. They are responsible,” added Ishee.

Sessums’ backfield on offense included running back Cole Hodgesand Cameron Achord at wide receiver.

“I wanted to make the playoffs because our seniors hadn’t madeit yet,” said Sessums. “I wanted to go out on a good note.”

Price’s older brothers, Jake and Stewart, have given him adviceabout playing football. Jake, a student at Ole Miss, playedquarterback a few years ago for the Cougars. Stewart, a senior,plays wide receiver and caught many of his younger brother’spasses.

Sessums is the son of Dr. Kim and Kristy Sessums. His fatherplayed basketball at Belhaven. His grandfather, the late HowardSessums, played several sports at Mississippi College and alsoplayed minor league baseball.

Sessums plans to try out for the varsity boys basketball team.In the spring, he will be play baseball where he is the centerfielder for Coach Stephen Cooksey.

For Sessums, his favorite college football team is Ole Miss. Inhis spare time, he likes playing video sports games.

Sessums tore the lateral miniscus in his left knee and will havesurgery Wednesday in Jackson. “I’ve been playing on it for aboutfour weeks.” said Sessums. “Before the games, I just numbed up alittle,” with a pain-killer injection.

Sessums said he plans on joining the basketball team in abouttwo weeks. “I’ll keep wearing my ankle braces for basketball.”

Looking to the future, Sessums said he wants to work hard in theoffseason and help the Cougars make the playoffs in 2005.