Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
This Friday night the south AA championship will be decided between two teams with contrasting styles of football. The top ranked and undefeated Brookhaven Cougars who feature arguably the most explosive offense in MAIS football will battle the once beaten River Oaks Mustangs who field the top rated defense in AA football.
Both teams are coming of huge second round wins. Brookhaven eliminated defending champs Centreville 57-56 in double overtime while River Oaks sent home a solid Bowling Green squad 21-14. Predictions run the gamut amongst fans but from non partisans Brookhaven is the heavy favorite. On paper who can argue, but it’s very difficult for a team to play at its’ highest level coming off such a draining and emotional game as Brookhaven will be attempting to do. I’ve witnessed those struggles first hand during MAIS post season basketball the past two seasons.
Both teams are coming of huge second round wins. Brookhaven eliminated defending champs Centreville 57-56 in double overtime while River Oaks sent home a solid Bowling Green squad 21-14. Predictions run the gamut amongst fans but from non partisans Brookhaven is the heavy favorite. On paper who can argue, but it’s very difficult for a team to play at its’ highest level coming off such a draining and emotional game as Brookhaven will be attempting to do. I’ve witnessed those struggles first hand during MAIS post season basketball the past two seasons.
I get the feeling that River Oaks feels they have something to prove, you know, a respect thing. Which team had the strongest schedule is irrelevant at this point because both teams got to this game by being very good football teams.
It would be no surprise to see both Brookhaven and River Oaks playing for the right to wear a ring again next season. Both squads only graduate six seniors and are heavy with juniors and sophomores.
Inside the numbers…….
>The Brookhaven Cougars are ranked #1 in the latest Southern Sports & Travel rankings.
>Brookhaven defeated Silliman 34-14 in round one and defeated Centreville 57-56 in round two.
>The Cougars average 40.5 ppg which is second best in AA football and yield 17.6, which ranks fourteenth.
>Brookhaven is 13-0
>The Cougars are 7-0 at home where they average 41 ppg and yield 19 ppg.
>Brookhaven is +18 in turnovers
>Key players – Junior quarterback Chandler Rogers has passed for 3,273 yards with 40 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. Rogers also has rushed for 899 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Senior wide-out Tripp Jolly has 57 receptions for 1,194 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Sophomore wide-out Bubba Keene has 45 receptions for 949 yards and 14 touchdowns. Keene also has 4 rushing touchdowns and one interception return for a touchdown.
Senior linebacker Jamison Powell leads the Cougar defense with 141 tackles, 3 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries.
>The River Oaks Mustangs are ranked #3 in the latest Southern Sports & Travel rankings.
>River Oaks defeated Central Hinds 35-14 in round one and defeated Bowling Green 21-14 in round two.
>The Mustangs average 33 ppg which is third best in AA football and lead all AA teams in points yielded at 10.3 ppg.
>River Oaks is 11-1
>The Mustangs are 4-1 on the road where they average 25.4 ppg and yield 8.4 ppg.
>River Oaks is +20 in turnovers
>Key players – Tailback Vincent Moore has 741 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. The junior also has 16 receptions for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Quarterback Ryan MacGregor has passed for 888 yards with 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. The sophomore also has 463 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Senior linebacker Stephen Bragg leads the Mustang defense with 102 tackles, 3 sacks and 4 forced fumbles.
>Common opponents: Trinity, Riverfield, Central Hinds and Bowling Green.
*Brookhaven beat Trinity 25-21, Riverfield 37-8, Central Hinds 38-7 and Bowling Green 21-14.
*River Oaks beat Trinity 27-25, Riverfield 27-6, Central Hinds 35-14 and Bowling Green 21-14.
It would be no surprise to see both Brookhaven and River Oaks playing for the right to wear a ring again next season. Both squads only graduate six seniors and are heavy with juniors and sophomores.
Inside the numbers…….
>The Brookhaven Cougars are ranked #1 in the latest Southern Sports & Travel rankings.
>Brookhaven defeated Silliman 34-14 in round one and defeated Centreville 57-56 in round two.
>The Cougars average 40.5 ppg which is second best in AA football and yield 17.6, which ranks fourteenth.
>Brookhaven is 13-0
>The Cougars are 7-0 at home where they average 41 ppg and yield 19 ppg.
>Brookhaven is +18 in turnovers
>Key players – Junior quarterback Chandler Rogers has passed for 3,273 yards with 40 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. Rogers also has rushed for 899 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Senior wide-out Tripp Jolly has 57 receptions for 1,194 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Sophomore wide-out Bubba Keene has 45 receptions for 949 yards and 14 touchdowns. Keene also has 4 rushing touchdowns and one interception return for a touchdown.
Senior linebacker Jamison Powell leads the Cougar defense with 141 tackles, 3 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries.
>The River Oaks Mustangs are ranked #3 in the latest Southern Sports & Travel rankings.
>River Oaks defeated Central Hinds 35-14 in round one and defeated Bowling Green 21-14 in round two.
>The Mustangs average 33 ppg which is third best in AA football and lead all AA teams in points yielded at 10.3 ppg.
>River Oaks is 11-1
>The Mustangs are 4-1 on the road where they average 25.4 ppg and yield 8.4 ppg.
>River Oaks is +20 in turnovers
>Key players – Tailback Vincent Moore has 741 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. The junior also has 16 receptions for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Quarterback Ryan MacGregor has passed for 888 yards with 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. The sophomore also has 463 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Senior linebacker Stephen Bragg leads the Mustang defense with 102 tackles, 3 sacks and 4 forced fumbles.
>Common opponents: Trinity, Riverfield, Central Hinds and Bowling Green.
*Brookhaven beat Trinity 25-21, Riverfield 37-8, Central Hinds 38-7 and Bowling Green 21-14.
*River Oaks beat Trinity 27-25, Riverfield 27-6, Central Hinds 35-14 and Bowling Green 21-14.
Coaches’ perspective………
Brookhaven head coach Herbert Davis
After such a dramatic win on Friday night against Centreville is there any concern about a possible letdown?
“Definitely worried about a letdown. Must worry about us first. We need to play our best because that is all we can control anyway."
With the Centreville game being such a physical one are there any injuries?
“We are ok with our injuries but sore.”
What different type of problems will River Oaks present than what Centreville did?
“River Oaks is very well coached and has lots of skill players. Speed is a concern as well as a great defense.”
What will be the biggest key to winning this Friday night?
“Mental execution on both sides, no penalties and turnovers.”
*
River Oaks head coach Robert Hannah 
What is the team's health status following the win over Bowling Green?
“The team is healthy, but very sore.”
Will you prepare any differently this week or will it be like every other week?
“Preparation for this week will be normally as possible, although the kids realize how important this week really is.”
What must River Oaks do to slow down Brookhaven quarterback Chandler Rogers?
“I am not sure if we can slow down a quarterback of his capabilities; we hope to put some pressure on him and to keep the completions in front of us and to also tackle better.”
What will be the key to a River Oaks win?
“In order to win we must create turnovers and take advantage of them on offense.”
What is the team's health status following the win over Bowling Green?
“The team is healthy, but very sore.”
Will you prepare any differently this week or will it be like every other week?
“Preparation for this week will be normally as possible, although the kids realize how important this week really is.”
What must River Oaks do to slow down Brookhaven quarterback Chandler Rogers?
“I am not sure if we can slow down a quarterback of his capabilities; we hope to put some pressure on him and to keep the completions in front of us and to also tackle better.”
What will be the key to a River Oaks win?
“In order to win we must create turnovers and take advantage of them on offense.”
**Note**
I offer my sincere appreciation to coaches Davis and Hannah for their remarks.
