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September 25, 2010

Brookhaven stays perfect with win over Simpson
Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
Winning streaks often take on lives of their own but what most often gets lost amongst the headlines are the quality of teams that compile those victories. Case and point, top ranked Brookhaven’s past two opponents both entered into the matchup with the Cougars undefeated and both left the field leaving little doubt which was the superior team.
On Friday night the defending AA State Champions won their 21st straight game but more importantly they earned a win over another top five team, their second in as many weeks. Brookhaven showcased their balance and quick strike capabilities in a 34-18 win over 3rd ranked Simpson in Mendenhall.
The Simpson defense, which led the MAIS in points yielded at 4.4 ppg, did its’ job on Brookhaven’s first possession. Eli Duran picked off a deflected Chandler Rogers pass attempt at the Simpson 38 yard line.
Brookhaven forced the Simpson offense into a three and out and benefitted from a 7 yard punt to set up shop at their own 49 yard line for their second possession of the opening quarter. Two plays later senior quarterback Chandler Rogers sprinted around the right side of the Simpson defense and 51 yards later he hit pay-dirt. Tyler Trout nailed the PAT to give top ranked Brookhaven an early 7-0 lead.
Simpson took over on their second possession of the night at their own 23 yard line but could net just two yards and were forced to punt. Brookhaven found themselves with a short field to work with again midway through the first quarter following a Jacob Busby 27 yard punt that made it out to midfield. (Above) Brookhaven tailback Jennings Mills (#10) gets wrapped up by Simpson linebacker Tyler Pagart (#54)
Jennings Mills picked a hard five yards to the Simpson 45 yard line to start the drive. Rogers then connected with junior wide-out Bubba Keene for 22 yards down to the Simpson 23 yard line. Brookhaven increased their lead on the next play as Rogers victimized the left side of the Simpson defense with a 23 yard scamper for a touchdown. Tyler Trout added the PAT to push Brookhaven’s advantage to 14-0.
Simpson’s woes continued on their third possession as tailback Cade Eiland coughed up the football and Brookhaven linebacker Cody Henley recovered it at the Simpson 45 yard line.
Brookhaven moved to the Simpson 14 yard line but stalled. Tyler Trout gave the Cougars a 17-0 lead after a 31 yard field goal.
The Simpson offense got on track following Trout’s field goal. With Cade Eiland running out of the “wildcat” formation the Cougars produced a ten play drive that started at their own 26 yard line. With Eiland rushing on eight of those plays Simpson marched to the Brookhaven 9 yard line but hit a brick wall. Three plays later Brookhaven stopped Eiland for no gain on a 4th and goal from the 5 yard line to retake possession and end Simpson’s only threatening drive of the first half.
Unlike Simpson’s first three possessions of the first half the Cougar’s got themselves back in the contest quickly to start the second half. Cade Eiland exploded with 65 yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage for Simpson’s first score of the night in the third quarter. John Reed Robinson’s PAT failed.
With Simpson’s score there appeared to have been a huge momentum shift. Simpson defensive end Mark Herrin wrapped up Chandler Rogers for a sack and loss of five yards on a second and 8 from the Brookhaven 38 yard line but that appearance of a momentum shift evaporated quickly as Rogers nailed wide-out Sidney Chaffin on a 3rd and 13 with a perfectly thrown pass on a sideline route that went for 67 yards and a score. Trout added the PAT to increase the lead to 24-6. (Above) Simpson tailback Cade Eiland (#2) gets stopped for a loss by Brookhaven defensive lineman Bailey Hodge (#52)
Brookhaven wide-out Bubba Keene then put the game out of reach after the Cougar defense forced the Simpson offense into a three and out. Keene took a Jacob Busby punt and sprinted 76 yards to up the lead to 30-6. The reliable Tyler Trout added the PAT to give top ranked Brookhaven a 31-6 cushion at the midway point of the third quarter.
Simpson cut into the Brookhaven lead shortly before the quarter expired as junior tailback Cade Eiland scored from 16 yards out. An unsuccessful 2-point conversion attempt left the deficit at 31-12.
Brookhaven’s final score would come on a Tyler Trout 24 yard field goal halfway through the final quarter.
Simpson reached the endzone in the closing minutes of the game on an Eiland 9 yard burst.
Chandler Rogers was 9/16 passing with a touchdown and an interception. The senior also rushed for 123 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns.
Sidney Chaffin had two receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Cade Eiland led Simpson with 211 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
With their 21st consecutive win Brookhaven improves to 6-0 and will host Centreville next Friday night.
Simpson suffers its’ first loss and falls to 5-1. The Cougars will travel to Madden next week for a huge District 3AA battle with undefeated Leake.
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Post game comments from Brookhaven head coach Herbert Davis and senior wide-out Sidney Chaffin