Brookhaven senior quarterback Chandler Rogers turned in his best effort of the year stat wise as he completed 13 of his 28 pass attempts for 258 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, he ran 18 times for 78 yards and three more scores. Rogers threw for 199 yards in the first half alone as the Cougars jumped out to a 23-7 lead and looked to have the game under control heading into the second half of play.
“We have to get better in a lot of areas before the playoffs start.” said Brookhaven head coach Herbert Davis. “We gave up big plays tonight. We can’t make those mistakes this late in the year if you want to be successful. Our offense has to execute better, our guys have to keep their assignments and we’ve got to be ready to battle for a full four quarters. We were able to answer their scores tonight and put a lot of points on the board, but it’s about to get a lot tougher as the playoffs get closer.”
Brookhaven overcame a scoreless first quarter to put their first points on the board at the 7:10 mark of the second quarter as Rogers connected with junior wide out Bubba Keene on a 19 yard score, giving the Cougars an 8-0 lead. Four minutes later, Rogers connected with Keene again, this time from 46 yards out, capping a 4 play, 58 yard drive. Tyler Trout added the extra point for a 15-0 Brookhaven lead with 3:56 left in the first half.
East Rankin registered its first score of the night just over a minute later as quarterback Jacob Weldon scored on a 51 yard run. J.D. Houston added the extra point, cutting the Brookhaven lead to 15-7 with 2:37 left in the first half.
It took the Cougars less than a minute to respond as Rogers connected with running back Jennings Mills on a 77 yard strike with 1:48 remaining in the half. Mills added the two point conversion, pushing the Cougar lead to 23-7 at the half.
East Rankin scored the first two scores of the second half to send an uneasy feeling through the visiting crowd. Weldon connected with Colby Crotwell on a 16 yard pass at the 6:33 mark of the third quarter and Weldon added a 63 yard run with 4:18 left in the period, cutting Brookhaven’s lead to 23-20. 
The Cougars responded with a quick four play drive that ended with Rogers scoring on a 14 yard run. Trout added the extra point for a 30-20 Brookhaven lead with 2:32 left in the third.
East Rankin answered right back as Weldon connected with Crotwell again, this time from 39 yards out as the Patriots cut the Brookhaven lead to 30-27 with 8:57 left in the game. Rogers and company answered with 7:37 left in the game as Rogers scored on a 13 yard run, pushing the Brookhaven lead to 37-27 after Trout added the extra point.
Rogers added an insurance score with 2:31 remaining as Rogers scored on a 4 yard run, pushing the Brookhaven lead to 44-27 after Trout’s successful extra point.
The final Patriot score came with 24 seconds remaining as Josh Stuart scored on a three yard run and then completed a pass to William Stanton for the two point conversion, ending the scoring at 44-35.
Brookhaven wide out Bubba Keene registered his best performance of the year as well, hauling in 10 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns. He finished with 243 all-purpose yards on the night. Landon Nettles, a freshman for the Cougars, led the ground attack with 120 yards on 13 carries.
“Nettles was big for us tonight.” added Davis. “He’s quick, he cuts and accelerates well and he has great vision. He gives us more options offensively in the passing game and rushing game. He has the chance to be a big player for us as we get ready for the playoffs.”
Jacob Weldon led East Rankin offensively, completing 11 of his 22 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted once. On the ground, he picked up 149 yards on 16 carries. Josh Stuart finished with 94 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown.
On defense, Bailey Hodge led Brookhaven with 17 tackles. Alan Michael Allred followed with 15 stops and two sacks. Hunter Franklin finished with 13 tackles. Jennings Mills intercepted an East Rankin pass.
What’s more impressive for Rogers is the fact that he set the career touchdown record in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools thanks to his performance Friday night. The previous record holder is a familiar name to Brookhaven Academy fans, none other than standout quarterback Price Sessums, a 2006 BA graduate. Sessums totaled 111 touchdowns in his stellar career with the Cougars. With his six scores against East Rankin, Rogers now holds the record with 115 touchdowns as the Cougars still have two regular season games and the playoffs to go.
“It’s a great honor and privilege to set the record, but all the credit goes to my coaches and teammates.” said Rogers.
Brookhaven returns to R.M. “Red” Stuard Field Friday night for its final regular season home game against Columbia Academy in an important district 4-AA matchup. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
**Photos Courtesy of Sherylyn Evans
