For Southern Sports & Travel, By Brett Rutland
Brookhaven Academy’s Cougars welcomed the Riverfield Raiders from Rayville, La. Friday night, and coach Herbert Davis’ squad wasted little time in ending all doubt as to what the outcome would be. The Cougars scored 28 first quarter points en-route to a 60-6 drumming of the Raiders to improve to 3-0 on the season. Riverfield, a class A team, fell to 1-2 on the season.
Brookhaven took the opening kickoff and marched 62 yards in 6 plays before Eli Gatlin rumbled in from 14 yards out to give hosts a 7-0 lead with 10:18 left in the opening quarter after Tyler Trout added his first of a perfect 6 for 6 extra point attempts.
(Above) Brookhaven's defense limited Riverfield to 139 yards of total offense.
It took just five plays for the Raiders to respond, going 82 yards in five plays before Logan Cantu scored on a one yard run. The extra point attempt failed, and unfortunately for Riverfield, that was the last time they would get close to the end zone.
On the ensuing kickoff, junior wide receiver Bubba Keene took the Trey Presley kick and eluded defenders before racing 74 yards for the score. Brookhaven lead 14-6 after the Trout extra point with 7:13 left in the opening quarter.
Following a Riverfield punt, Brookhaven took one play as senior quarterback Chandler Rogers evaded tacklers before scrambling 34 yards for the score. Trout added the extra point for a 21-6 Brookhaven lead with 3:16 left in the first.
It took one play once again on Brookhaven’s next possession as Rogers found Jennings Mills streaking down the middle of the field for a 60 yard score, pushing the Brookhaven lead to 28-6 after the Trout PAT with 1:31 left in the opening quarter. The Cougars added two scores in the second quarter. Rogers scrambled 11 yards at the 6:53 mark, capping an 11 play, 88 yard drive with 6:53 left in the first half. Trout added the extra point for a 35-6 Brookhaven lead. 
(Above) Brookhaven quarterback Chandler Rogers had 2 passing tds and 2 rushing tds in one half of play.
The last score of the half for the Cougars came at the 1:16 mark as Rogers found senior receiver Sidney Chaffin on a 43 yard bomb, capping a 5 play, 96 yard drive. Trout added the extra point, giving the hosts a 42-6 lead at the half.
Jennings Mills opened the scoring of the second half for Brookhaven as he scored on a 13 yard run, topping of a 5 play, 60 yard drive for a 48-6 lead after a failed extra point attempt from Bubba Keene.
The Brookhaven starters gave way to the second and third string from that point on, and the subs responded with a 13 play, 70 yard drive that ended with Gage Posey scoring on a 13 yard run with 6:27 left in the contest. The extra point attempt failed, giving the Cougars a 54-6 lead.
The final score of the night came with 4 seconds left as Will Lucas picked off an Austin Crawford pass and returning it 33 yards for the score. There was no extra point attempt, ending the scoring at 60-6.
“We played well offensively, but there were a lot of areas we still need to work on.” said Davis. “Our defense had some week moments and gave up a big play or two and we’ve got to correct those things. At this time of the year, or seniors and returning players have got to step up and lead and get us through the tough games that are coming.” 
(Above) Brookhaven defenders Bailey Hodge (#52) and CJ Duckworth (#42) take down a Riverfield rusher.
Rogers led the Brookhaven offense, completing 10 of his 18 pass attempts for 207 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, he picked up 105 yards on 5 carries with two more scores. Mills and Chaffin each led in receiving with 70 yards and a touchdown a piece. Mills rushed the ball 6 times for 45 yards and one score. Keene finished with 119 all purpose yards and one touchdown.
Patrick Cencer led Riverfield with 5 carries for 26 yards. Cole Mills followed with 6 carries for 17 yards. Austin Crawford was 2 for 12 passing for 84 yards. He was intercepted once.
On defense, Mark Rushing led the Brookhaven defense with 14 tackles and a fumble recovery. C.J. Duckworth followed with 12 stops. Cody Henley and Alan Michael Allred each followed with 8 tackles a piece. Will recorded and interception.
Brookhaven travels to Liberty Friday night to take on the Amite School Center Rebels in the first district game of the season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
**Photos courtesy of Rhonda Posey**
