Brookhaven beats Centreville in double overtimeSouthern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
The Brookhaven Cougars eliminated Centreville 57-56 in double overtime last night before a packed house at RM “ Red” Stuard Field in Brookhaven. In an epic battle that will be remembered by all that were in attendance the Cougars stopped Centreville tailback Zach Sinclair one yard short on a two point attempt to win the game.
In a round two playoff game that resembled an Ali-Frazier fight Centreville took the opening drive 74 yards in 5 plays that culminated on a Zach Sinclair 1 yard plunge through the middle for the game’s first score. Gavin Travis added the PAT and the war was on.
Brookhaven’s offense didn’t stay on the field long on their first possession as the Cougar’s were able to manage only 3 yards and were forced to punt. Centreville looked to be on the move again as they pushed down to the Brookhaven 35 yard line but stalled when they tried to convert a 4th and 6 after a timeout. Cliff Hurst was sacked by Brookhaven’s Will Gatlin for a loss of eight yards back to the Cougar 43 yard line to turn the ball over on downs.
Brookhaven cashed in on the field position and drove 57 yards in 9 plays to tie the game when Jennings Mills ran in from three yards out at the 3:00 mark of the opening quarter. Centreville moved the chains one time on their next possession but were forced to punt. Cliff Hurst’s 39 yard punt ended the quarter with the game at 7-7 and Brookhaven with the ball at their own 23 yard line.
(Above) Brookhaven's Jennings Mills (#21) fights for yardage
Like a boulder rolling down a hill the pace was about to pick up and most everyone knew it. Brookhaven’s Chandler Rogers hit Bubba Keene for a 32 yard strike on a fade route to give the Cougars a first down at the Tiger 46 yard line. Then seven plays later and facing a 3rd and goal from the Centreville 15 yard line Rogers handed off to Bubba Keene who hit Tripp Jolly on a 15 yard halfback pass for a touchdown with 8:04 left in the half. A Tyler Trout PAT gave the Cougars their first lead of the game at 14-7.
With Centreville taking possession at their own 35 yard line Zach Sinclair went around the right side for 51 yards before being hauled down at the Cougar 14 yard line. The Brookhaven defense held enough to force a 4th and 1 yard but Cliff Hurst converted with a run to the Cougar 3 yard line to give the champs another set of downs. One play later Zach Sinclair went in for this second score of the night and Travis’s PAT tied the game at 14-14 with 5:41 left in the half.
Both teams would score again in the remaining 5:41 of the half. Brookhaven’s Bubba Keene returned a Centreville kickoff 54 yards down to the Tiger 29 yard line to set the table for the Cougars and Chandler Rogers. Five plays later Rogers busted in from one yard out and Trout added the PAT to put Brookhaven up 21-14 with 3:15 left in the second quarter.
(Above) Brookhaven defenders bury Centreville's Zach Sinclair on last play of game
Centreville drove from their own 35 yard line down to the Brookhaven 24 and with 54 seconds on the clock quarterback Tyler Towles found wide-out Colby Lockwood for a 24 yard touchdown strike that knotted the game at 21-21.
Amazingly Brookhaven took only 39 seconds to move 59 yards and found themselves at the Centreville 7 yard line after a 14 yard slant pass from Rogers to Bubba Keene. But after their third time-out of the half the Cougars were stopped at the five yard line as time expired in the half and the game tied at 21-21.
Brookhaven opened the third quarter with a drive that covered 76 yards and consumed nearly six minutes. The 13 play drive was finished off when Chandler Rogers kept the ball on an option play from six yards out at the 6:17 mark of the quarter. The Tyler Trout PAT attempt was blocked leaving the Tigers with a 27-21 deficit.
Centreville’s Jason Doughty tied the game on a 41 yard touchdown sprint with 3:13 left in the third quarter. Gavin Travis added the PAT as the Tigers went back up 28-27.
(Above) Brookhaven's Chandler Rogers gets stopped by a trio of Tigers in overtime
Chandler Rogers then calmly guided the Cougars down the field. The junior hit Donovan Lorraine for 14 yards up to the Cougar 44 yard line. Two plays later Rogers ran for 14 yards to the Tiger 44 yard line. With 50 seconds remaining in the quarter and facing a 3rd and 7 at the 42 yard line Rogers dropped back to pass and scrambled to avoid a charging Centreville pass rush. He then spotted sophomore wide out Will Lucas and hit him with a 42 yard touchdown bullet. Centreville sacked Rogers on a two point attempt and with 50 seconds remaining in the quarter the Cougars had the advantage at 33-28.
Brookhaven got the ball right back at the Centreville 49 yard line when Mark Rushing recovered a successful onsides kick. Brookhaven ended the third quarter on a Rogers to Mills connection for 13 yards to the Tiger 28 yard line and the score 33-28.
On the first play of the fourth quarter Centreville’s Michael Pate sacked Rogers for a loss of 12 yards back to the Tiger 40. Then on the next play Brodie Lafontaine hit Rogers from his blind side and forced a fumble that was recovered by Centreville at their 45 yard line. On the third play of Centreville’s possession Zach Sinclair raced 44 yards to put the Tigers back on top at 35-33 with 10:12 left in regulation.
Brookhaven’s Bubba Keene had another solid return on the kick-off, this time 41 yards to the Cougar 46. This Brookhaven drive took them to the Centreville 2 yard line and when Bubba Keene took an inside handoff in for the score it appeared the Cougars had retaken the lead but a motion penalty negated the touchdown and pushed Brookhaven back to the 7 yard line. Keene took a handoff and scrambled in from 7 yards out for what most thought was the go ahead score, but more laundry was on the field. This time a holding penalty plus an unsportsmanlike call against the Cougars pushed them all the way back to the 27 yard line where they faced a 3rd and goal. After a Rogers incomplete pass junior kicker Tyler Trout made good on a 44 yard field goal to put Brookhaven on top 36-35 with 5:32 remaining.
(Above) Brookhaven on an early third quarter drive before a big home crowd
Centreville then got a big play from their special teams unit when Hunter Travis returned the ensuing kickoff 48 yards to the Brookhaven 36. Centreville moved to the Cougar 33 but after three plays found themselves facing a 4th and 4 from the Brookhaven 30 yard line with 3:45 left in regulation. Zach Sinclair went around the left end for 19 yards to the Brookhaven 11 yard line and on the next play Sinclair hit pay-dirt from 11 yards out. He then converted on the two point attempt to put Centreville up 43-36 with just over three minutes left in regulation.
In what could be deemed the drive of Brookhaven’s season the Cougars started from their own 18 yard line. Rogers ran for 16 yards to the 34 then on 3rd and 10 Rogers hit Bubba Keene for an 11 yard gain and a first down at the Tiger 45 yard line. An 18 yard gain by Rogers was wiped out by holding and a Michael Pate sack on Rogers pushed Brookhaven back to their own 48 yard line with 1:34 remaining. Staring at a 3rd and 17 at the Brookhaven 48 and 1:09 on the clock Rogers hit Donovan Lorraine for 14 yards to the Tiger 36 yard line, one yard short of the first down marker. On 4th and one and 53 seconds on the clock Rogers ran 16 yards to the Centreville 20 yard line for a 1st down. On the next play Chandler Rogers hit Tripp Jolly with a perfectly thrown 20 yard fade pass in the end-zone that rocked the crowd and brought the Cougars to within one point at 43-42 and 22 seconds left. Tyler Trout put the PAT through to tie the game at 43-43.
(Above) Centreville quarterback Tyler Towles (#8) about to pitch to Zach Sinclair (#23)
Centreville’s attempt to move the ball at the end of regulation failed as the game then went into overtime.
Centreville scored first when Cliff Hurst went in from one yard out as the Tigers took three plays to score. Gavin Travis added the PAT and the Tigers went up 50-43.
Brookhaven answered by scoring in just two plays as Rogers hit Donovan Lorraine on a 9 yard slant route and Tyler Trout hit the PAT to tie the game at 50-50.
Brookhaven took possession first in the second overtime stanza. Chandler Rogers connected with Bubba Keene on their first play for a ten yard touchdown strike. Trout added the PAT to put Brookhaven back up at 57-50.
Centreville answered as Zach Sinclair broke two tackles and scored his fifth touchdown on the Tiger’s first play from scrimmage to pull to 57-56. Centreville then lined up for the two point attempt and Brookhaven called timeout. Following the timeout Sinclair was stopped at the one yard line by a bevy of Brookhaven players as the crowd erupted in what was one of the best high school playoff games played in many years.
(Above) Chandler Rogers had 367 yards passing and 176 rushing on the night
“We didn’t want anymore of Centreville after our first meeting back in October” said Brookhaven head coach Herbert Davis. “I’ve only been part of one other game similar to this one. Our kids stepped up when they had to and beat a very good football team tonight”.
Brookhaven racked up 614 total yards on the night to Centreville’s 426. The #1 ranked Cougars had a balanced attack with 381 yards passing and 233 on the ground. Chandler Rogers proved once again why most consider him the best quarterback in the MAIS as he passed for 367 yards on 27/39 and 4 touchdowns. The junior also rushed for 176 yards on 25 carries and 2 touchdowns. Sophomore wide-out Bubba Keene pulled in 9 receptions for 131 yards and a score. Keene also passed for a score on the night. Senior defensive end Will Gatlin recorded 14 tackles for the Cougars. Both Mark Rushing and Keene had 1o tackles each.
Centreville tailback Zach Sinclair finished with 301 yards on 33 carries and 5 touchdowns. The senior finishes his final season at Centreville with 2,179 yards and 38 touchdowns and leaves with two championship rings.
Brookhaven improves to 13-0 and will host the River Oaks Mustangs next Friday night. River Oaks eliminated Bowling Green 21-14 in Monroe last night and will bring in an 11-1 mark.
Centreville finishes at 9-4.
In a round two playoff game that resembled an Ali-Frazier fight Centreville took the opening drive 74 yards in 5 plays that culminated on a Zach Sinclair 1 yard plunge through the middle for the game’s first score. Gavin Travis added the PAT and the war was on.
Brookhaven’s offense didn’t stay on the field long on their first possession as the Cougar’s were able to manage only 3 yards and were forced to punt. Centreville looked to be on the move again as they pushed down to the Brookhaven 35 yard line but stalled when they tried to convert a 4th and 6 after a timeout. Cliff Hurst was sacked by Brookhaven’s Will Gatlin for a loss of eight yards back to the Cougar 43 yard line to turn the ball over on downs.
Brookhaven cashed in on the field position and drove 57 yards in 9 plays to tie the game when Jennings Mills ran in from three yards out at the 3:00 mark of the opening quarter. Centreville moved the chains one time on their next possession but were forced to punt. Cliff Hurst’s 39 yard punt ended the quarter with the game at 7-7 and Brookhaven with the ball at their own 23 yard line.
(Above) Brookhaven's Jennings Mills (#21) fights for yardageLike a boulder rolling down a hill the pace was about to pick up and most everyone knew it. Brookhaven’s Chandler Rogers hit Bubba Keene for a 32 yard strike on a fade route to give the Cougars a first down at the Tiger 46 yard line. Then seven plays later and facing a 3rd and goal from the Centreville 15 yard line Rogers handed off to Bubba Keene who hit Tripp Jolly on a 15 yard halfback pass for a touchdown with 8:04 left in the half. A Tyler Trout PAT gave the Cougars their first lead of the game at 14-7.
With Centreville taking possession at their own 35 yard line Zach Sinclair went around the right side for 51 yards before being hauled down at the Cougar 14 yard line. The Brookhaven defense held enough to force a 4th and 1 yard but Cliff Hurst converted with a run to the Cougar 3 yard line to give the champs another set of downs. One play later Zach Sinclair went in for this second score of the night and Travis’s PAT tied the game at 14-14 with 5:41 left in the half.
Both teams would score again in the remaining 5:41 of the half. Brookhaven’s Bubba Keene returned a Centreville kickoff 54 yards down to the Tiger 29 yard line to set the table for the Cougars and Chandler Rogers. Five plays later Rogers busted in from one yard out and Trout added the PAT to put Brookhaven up 21-14 with 3:15 left in the second quarter.
(Above) Brookhaven defenders bury Centreville's Zach Sinclair on last play of gameCentreville drove from their own 35 yard line down to the Brookhaven 24 and with 54 seconds on the clock quarterback Tyler Towles found wide-out Colby Lockwood for a 24 yard touchdown strike that knotted the game at 21-21.
Amazingly Brookhaven took only 39 seconds to move 59 yards and found themselves at the Centreville 7 yard line after a 14 yard slant pass from Rogers to Bubba Keene. But after their third time-out of the half the Cougars were stopped at the five yard line as time expired in the half and the game tied at 21-21.
Brookhaven opened the third quarter with a drive that covered 76 yards and consumed nearly six minutes. The 13 play drive was finished off when Chandler Rogers kept the ball on an option play from six yards out at the 6:17 mark of the quarter. The Tyler Trout PAT attempt was blocked leaving the Tigers with a 27-21 deficit.
Centreville’s Jason Doughty tied the game on a 41 yard touchdown sprint with 3:13 left in the third quarter. Gavin Travis added the PAT as the Tigers went back up 28-27.
(Above) Brookhaven's Chandler Rogers gets stopped by a trio of Tigers in overtimeChandler Rogers then calmly guided the Cougars down the field. The junior hit Donovan Lorraine for 14 yards up to the Cougar 44 yard line. Two plays later Rogers ran for 14 yards to the Tiger 44 yard line. With 50 seconds remaining in the quarter and facing a 3rd and 7 at the 42 yard line Rogers dropped back to pass and scrambled to avoid a charging Centreville pass rush. He then spotted sophomore wide out Will Lucas and hit him with a 42 yard touchdown bullet. Centreville sacked Rogers on a two point attempt and with 50 seconds remaining in the quarter the Cougars had the advantage at 33-28.
Brookhaven got the ball right back at the Centreville 49 yard line when Mark Rushing recovered a successful onsides kick. Brookhaven ended the third quarter on a Rogers to Mills connection for 13 yards to the Tiger 28 yard line and the score 33-28.
On the first play of the fourth quarter Centreville’s Michael Pate sacked Rogers for a loss of 12 yards back to the Tiger 40. Then on the next play Brodie Lafontaine hit Rogers from his blind side and forced a fumble that was recovered by Centreville at their 45 yard line. On the third play of Centreville’s possession Zach Sinclair raced 44 yards to put the Tigers back on top at 35-33 with 10:12 left in regulation.
Brookhaven’s Bubba Keene had another solid return on the kick-off, this time 41 yards to the Cougar 46. This Brookhaven drive took them to the Centreville 2 yard line and when Bubba Keene took an inside handoff in for the score it appeared the Cougars had retaken the lead but a motion penalty negated the touchdown and pushed Brookhaven back to the 7 yard line. Keene took a handoff and scrambled in from 7 yards out for what most thought was the go ahead score, but more laundry was on the field. This time a holding penalty plus an unsportsmanlike call against the Cougars pushed them all the way back to the 27 yard line where they faced a 3rd and goal. After a Rogers incomplete pass junior kicker Tyler Trout made good on a 44 yard field goal to put Brookhaven on top 36-35 with 5:32 remaining.
(Above) Brookhaven on an early third quarter drive before a big home crowdCentreville then got a big play from their special teams unit when Hunter Travis returned the ensuing kickoff 48 yards to the Brookhaven 36. Centreville moved to the Cougar 33 but after three plays found themselves facing a 4th and 4 from the Brookhaven 30 yard line with 3:45 left in regulation. Zach Sinclair went around the left end for 19 yards to the Brookhaven 11 yard line and on the next play Sinclair hit pay-dirt from 11 yards out. He then converted on the two point attempt to put Centreville up 43-36 with just over three minutes left in regulation.
In what could be deemed the drive of Brookhaven’s season the Cougars started from their own 18 yard line. Rogers ran for 16 yards to the 34 then on 3rd and 10 Rogers hit Bubba Keene for an 11 yard gain and a first down at the Tiger 45 yard line. An 18 yard gain by Rogers was wiped out by holding and a Michael Pate sack on Rogers pushed Brookhaven back to their own 48 yard line with 1:34 remaining. Staring at a 3rd and 17 at the Brookhaven 48 and 1:09 on the clock Rogers hit Donovan Lorraine for 14 yards to the Tiger 36 yard line, one yard short of the first down marker. On 4th and one and 53 seconds on the clock Rogers ran 16 yards to the Centreville 20 yard line for a 1st down. On the next play Chandler Rogers hit Tripp Jolly with a perfectly thrown 20 yard fade pass in the end-zone that rocked the crowd and brought the Cougars to within one point at 43-42 and 22 seconds left. Tyler Trout put the PAT through to tie the game at 43-43.
(Above) Centreville quarterback Tyler Towles (#8) about to pitch to Zach Sinclair (#23)Centreville’s attempt to move the ball at the end of regulation failed as the game then went into overtime.
Centreville scored first when Cliff Hurst went in from one yard out as the Tigers took three plays to score. Gavin Travis added the PAT and the Tigers went up 50-43.
Brookhaven answered by scoring in just two plays as Rogers hit Donovan Lorraine on a 9 yard slant route and Tyler Trout hit the PAT to tie the game at 50-50.
Brookhaven took possession first in the second overtime stanza. Chandler Rogers connected with Bubba Keene on their first play for a ten yard touchdown strike. Trout added the PAT to put Brookhaven back up at 57-50.
Centreville answered as Zach Sinclair broke two tackles and scored his fifth touchdown on the Tiger’s first play from scrimmage to pull to 57-56. Centreville then lined up for the two point attempt and Brookhaven called timeout. Following the timeout Sinclair was stopped at the one yard line by a bevy of Brookhaven players as the crowd erupted in what was one of the best high school playoff games played in many years.
(Above) Chandler Rogers had 367 yards passing and 176 rushing on the night“We didn’t want anymore of Centreville after our first meeting back in October” said Brookhaven head coach Herbert Davis. “I’ve only been part of one other game similar to this one. Our kids stepped up when they had to and beat a very good football team tonight”.
Brookhaven racked up 614 total yards on the night to Centreville’s 426. The #1 ranked Cougars had a balanced attack with 381 yards passing and 233 on the ground. Chandler Rogers proved once again why most consider him the best quarterback in the MAIS as he passed for 367 yards on 27/39 and 4 touchdowns. The junior also rushed for 176 yards on 25 carries and 2 touchdowns. Sophomore wide-out Bubba Keene pulled in 9 receptions for 131 yards and a score. Keene also passed for a score on the night. Senior defensive end Will Gatlin recorded 14 tackles for the Cougars. Both Mark Rushing and Keene had 1o tackles each.
Centreville tailback Zach Sinclair finished with 301 yards on 33 carries and 5 touchdowns. The senior finishes his final season at Centreville with 2,179 yards and 38 touchdowns and leaves with two championship rings.
Brookhaven improves to 13-0 and will host the River Oaks Mustangs next Friday night. River Oaks eliminated Bowling Green 21-14 in Monroe last night and will bring in an 11-1 mark.
Centreville finishes at 9-4.
