Wow!

If there is a word or phrase that could describe BrookhavenAcademy’s second round game in the MAIS Class AA State playoffswith Centreville Academy, wow would have to be it. Most fansundoubtedly expected a great ball game, but probably none of the1,500 estimated fans at R.M. “Red” Stuard Field could have expectedwhat unfolded on Friday the 13th.

Brookhaven Academy overcame penalties, an untimely turnover, andperhaps the best running back in academy AA football in ZachSinclair, escaping the Tigers from Centreville 57-56 Friday nightin a double-overtime thriller that wasn’t decided until the finalplay.

Football is said to be a game of inches, and that analogy wasnever more evident than on Friday night, as the Cougar defensefound a way in double overtime to stop Sinclair literally 3 inchesfrom the goal line on a two-point conversion attempt that wouldhave given the Tigers a 58-57 win and ended the Cougars’ season.Sinclair amassed 311 yards on 33 carries with five touchdowns, butneeded 312 yards to keep the Tigers’ hopes of a third straightClass AA state championship alive.

The two teams totaled over 1,000 yards offensively, asBrookhaven improved the 13-0 on the year. Centreville ends itsseason at 9-4, losing to the Cougars for a second time thisyear.

“I’ve been a part of a lot of football games, but I’ve neverseen one as amazing as this,” said Brookhaven Academy head coachHerbert Davis. “It was one of those games that neither teamdeserved to lose. Both teams gave it everything they had.Thankfully we were able to come out ahead.

“I’m proud of our kids,” added Davis. “They showed a lot ofheart and determination.”

Centreville took the opening kickoff of the game and wastedlittle time putting points on the board, marching 74 yards in 5plays before Sinclair scored on a 1-yard run with 10:35 left in theopening quarter. Gavin Travis added the extra point for a 7-0Centreville lead.

Brookhaven answered at the 3-minute mark of the first quarter asJennings Mills ran it in from four yards out, capping a 9-play, 57yard drive. Tyler Trout added the extra point, knotting things upat 7.

The Cougars took a lead with 8:04 left in the first half asBrookhaven used a little trickery to surprise the Centrevilledefense. Chandler Rogers took the snap and handed off to widereceiver Bubba Keene, who turned and threw to Tripp Jolly for a14-yard touchdown. Trout added the extra point for a 14-7Brookhaven lead.

Centreville answered at the 5:41 mark of the second as Sinclairscored on a 3 yard run, capping a 6-play, 65-yard drive. Travisadded the extra point, tying the game at 14.

After a Bubba Keene kickoff return set up the Brookhaven offenseat the Tigers 30-yard line, Rogers put the Cougars back on top21-14 with 3:15 left in the first half. Centreville was able toanswer quickly, as Tyler Towles connected with Colby Lockwood from24 yards out with 49 seconds left in the first half, knottingthings up at 21 at halftime.

Rogers opened the scoring for Brookhaven in the second half atthe 6:17 mark of the third quarter. The extra point attempt failed,giving the Cougars a 27-21 lead.

Jason Todd Doughty answered for Centerville, with a 41 yard runwith 3:13 left in the third. Travis added the extra point, cappinga 6-play, 69-yard drive and giving the Tigers a 28-27 lead.

Brookhaven answered on the ensuing drive as Rogers connectedwith Will Lucas on a 42-yard pass with 50 seconds left in the thirdquarter. The 2-point conversion attempt failed, giving the Cougarsa 33-28 lead going in to the fourth quarter.

Sinclair opened the scoring in the fourth quarter at the 10:12mark on a 44-yard run. Travis added the extra point, giving theTigers a 35-33 lead.

Brookhaven drove to the Centreville 2-yard line on the ensuingdrive, but had two would-be touchdowns called back due topenalties, ultimately ending up with the ball in a fourth and goalsituation at the Centreville 27-yard line. Davis put things on thefoot of Trout, instead of opting to go for the touchdown. Troutresponded by booming a 44- yard field goal at the 5:32 mark of thefourth quarter, giving the Cougars a 36-35 lead.

Centreville answered with 3:16 left in the game as Sinclairscored on an 11-yard run. Sinclair then added the 2- pointconversion, giving the Tigers a 43-36 lead.

Brookhaven had one more chance to rescue its hopes of moving onin the playoffs and responded with a 10-play, 82-yard drive thatwas capped off when Rogers connected with Jolly on a 15-yard passwith just 22 seconds left in the game. Trout added the extra point,tying the game at 43-43 at the end of regulation.

In overtime, Centreville went on offense first and scored on a2-yard run by Doughty. Travis added the extra point for a 50-43lead.

Brookhaven answered on its overtime possession as Rogersconnected with Donovan Lorraine on an 8-yard pass. Trout added theextra point, forcing a second overtime with the score knotted up at50.

Brookhaven was forced to go on offense first in the second OTand Rogers connected with Keene on a 10-yard pass on the firstplay. Trout added the extra point for a 57-50 Brookhaven lead.

Centreville answered on one play as well. Sinclair scored hisfifth touchdown of the night on the Tigers’ first play. Centrevillehead coach Bill Hurst called a timeout and chose to go for the2-point conversion and the win. BA defensive linemen Clint Stewart,Will Gatlin, Bailey Hodge and others were waiting for Sinclair,stopping the standout back inches short of the goal line andsetting off a chaotic celebration among the Brookhavenfaithful.

Rogers led the Brookhaven offense, completing 27 of his 39 passattempts for 367 yards and four touchdowns. He rushed the football25 times for 176 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 543 yards ofoffense for the game.

Keene led all receivers with 9 catches for 131 yards and onetouchdown. He completed his one pass attempt for 14 yards and atouchdown. Lorraine hauled in 8 passes for 98 yards and atouchdown. Jolly caught 5 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown.

Mills picked up 57 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown.

Doughty followed Sinclair with 58 yards on 4 carries and twotouchdowns for Centreville.

On defense, Gatlin led Brookhaven with 14 tackles. Mark Rushingand Keene each had 10 stops. Jamison Powell followed with 9tackles.

Brookhaven will host River Oaks, La Friday for the MAIS AA SouthState Championship game. River Oaks (11-1) beat Bowling Green 21-14to reach the South finals. Kickoff is 7 p.m.