Brookhaven tops Oak Forest, Simpson next
By Brett Rutland

When it comes to the playoffs, most coaches will tell you that big plays and turnovers are often the difference in the games. In Brookhaven Academy's opening round game against Oak Forest, both aspects worked together to help the Cougars.

Brookhaven topped Oak Forest 27-12 in a tough, hard-hitting game at R.M. "Red" Stuard Field. The Cougars improved to 10-2 on the season and advance to meet District 4 number one seed Simpson Academy Friday night in Mendenhall. Oak Forest, the number two seed out of District 6, lost to Brookhaven for the second time this season and ends its season with a 4-8 mark.

Brookhaven capitalized on a Yellow Jacket fumble on its first possession and a 78 yard kickoff return by Bubba Keene to open the second half to help the Cougars record their sixth consecutive victory.

(Above) Brookhaven senior Jeff Rushing (#22) gets wrapped up

"I'm proud of my kids for earning the win." said Brookhaven head coach Tripp McCarty. "I was pretty concerned about a let-down after such a big game last week. We didn't have a great week of practice but Coach Ogden and Coach Ball did a great job of making sure our guys were ready. We're going to have to play a very good game next week."

It took the Cougars just five plays to go 32 yards after an Oak Forest fumble on its first possession. Junior quarterback Gage Posey connected with Jeff Rushing from ten yards out. The extra point attempt failed, giving the hosts a 6-0 lead with 6:31 remaining in the opening quarter.

Oak Forest capitalized on a muffed Brookhaven punt that resulted in a short field, and registered its first points at the 2:11 mark of the opening quarter as Sam Bourgeois scored on a ten yard run. The extra point attempt failed, knotting up the score at 6-6.

(Above) Brookhaven senior Christian "Bubba" Keene (#5) makes a stop

Brookhaven was able to register one more score before the half as Landon Nettles rumbled in from one yard out, capping a 14 play, 72 yard drive. Posey connected with Will Lucas for the two point conversion, giving the Cougars a 14-6 lead at the half.

Keene electrified the Brookhaven crowd with his kickoff return touchdown to open the second half, and seemingly put some distance between the Cougars and Yellow Jackets. But Oak Forest responded with an 11 play, 79 yard drive that ended with Bourgeois scoring on a 7 yard run. The extra point attempt failed, cutting the Brookhaven lead to 20-12.

Brookhaven added an insurance score with 4:49 remaining in the game as Keene scored from two yards out. Will Lucas added the extra point, ending the scoring at 27-12.

"It was a few mistakes and one big play that cost us." said Oak Forest head coach Jason Brabham. "We had some turnovers in our first game that ended up giving them the edge. We gave up the kickoff return and the turnover on the first drive gave them a short field. You can't make those mistakes in the playoffs and expect to win."

(Above) Brookhaven's Eli Gatlin (#11) looks for daylight

Posey led the Brookhaven Academy offense, completing 5 of his 13 pass attempts for 123 yards and a touchdown. Nettles followed with 41 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown. Keene added 33 yards on 8 carries with a touchdown.

Rhase Riggins led Oak Forest, picking up 98 yards on 11 carries. Josh Byers followed with 75 yards on 15 carries. Sam Bourgeois picked up 40 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns.

On defense, Brookhaven had six players record at least ten tackles. Bailey Hodge led the defense with 24 stops. Ken Britt followed with 16 stops, Colby Culbertson added 14, Hunter Franklin and Jacob Philipp recorded 12, and Bubba Keene registered 11 stops. Hodge and Jeff Rushing each recorded a fumble.

Brookhaven advances to meet Simpson Academy for the second time this season. Simpson topped the Cougars 35-23 in the first meeting on September 2.

Kickoff in Mendenhall is 7 p.m.
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Photos Courtesy of Sherylyn Evans