By Melissa Grace

PCS sports

The debate began as soon as the game ended Friday night. How long has it been since Prentiss Christian has defeated Brookhaven? No one knew for sure, but they all agreed it had been at least a decade. Friday night’s game was one for the record books.

According to those who have been around for years, this season’s game brought back memories of Saints and Cougars games of the 90s. For those who were in attendance, on both sides of the stadium, it was well worth the price of admission.

Brookhaven won the opening toss and elected to receive. Josh Daley kicked off for the Saints down to the 18-yard line of the Cougars. BA wasted no time starting the game with a 28-yard run around left end. The Saints proved early on that they were there to play as well. On the very next play, Mike Johnson forced a fumble that was recovered by Peyton Dungan and ran all the way for the Saints first touchdown of the night. Daley’s PAT was successful giving Prentiss an early 7-0 lead over the Cougars.

Daley’s following kickoff sailed down to the Cougar 21-yard line and was returned to the 30-yard line. This is when both teams realized it wasn’t just another game. A Brookhaven cornerback jumped up and punched Blaise Holder of the Saints causing the ejection of the Cougar for the remainder of the game.

Following offsetting penalties, BA began its next drive. The Cougars tested the waters with quick passes and runs, but the Saints defense was up to the challenge forcing a punt from the Cougar 42-yard line. Michael Goddard returned the punt five-yards up to the Saints 25-yard line. The Cougar defense was just as tough forcing the Saints back to their own 17-yard line. Blake Greenlee punted for Prentiss to the 47-yard line of Brookhaven where the ball would be downed.

Twelve plays later, the Cougars found the end zone for its first touchdown on a three-yard run. The PAT was no good making the score 7-6 Prentiss with 3:51 to play in the 1st quarter. Brookhaven kicked off to the Saints. Holder would return the kick 16-yards to the Prentiss 49-yard line. The Saints quickly moved down the field, but consecutive incompletions on 3rd and 4th down gave the ball back to the Cougars on their own 17-yard line.

Brookhaven put together a good drive of their own, but were stopped at the 40-yard line of Prentiss giving possession of the ball back to Prentiss. The Saints worked down to the Cougar 38-yard line, but a failed 4th down attempt gave the ball back to Brookhaven. The Cougars were only able to gain six-yards on the drive and elected to punt back to Prentiss. The punt went out of bounds on the Saint 30-yard line.

The Cougar defense stood firm again forcing another Greenlee punt after allowing the Saints only five-yards of offense. The Greenlee punt flew 40-yards to the Cougar 25-yard line where the Saints immediately made the tackle. The Prentiss Christian defense held the Cougars to only four-yards forcing another Brookhaven punt. The BA punt rolled out of bounds on the Saints 28-yard line. Prentiss gained yardage down to the Cougar 41-yard line, but with time expiring on the half, the Saints were content to go into the locker room with the lead.

The 2nd half kickoff went out of bounds on the Saint 41-yard line giving PC good opening field position. Unfortunately, the Saints were only able to gain three-yards and called upon Greenlee again to punt. His punt went out of bounds on the Cougar 13-yard line pinning BA deep in their own territory. The Cougars put together a 12-play drive up to their 49-yard line, but facing 4th and 16 elected to punt back to Prentiss. The Brookhaven punt went out of bounds on the Prentiss Christian 30-yard line. The Saints actually lost yardage on this drive and quickly had to punt back to Brookhaven. Greenlee’s punt sailed out of bounds on the Cougar 30-yard line. BA moved the ball all the way down to the PC 24-yard line, but a big sack by Johnson on 4th and long gave possession back to Prentiss. A deep pass from Greenlee to Goddard moved the Saints all the way down to the Cougar 21-yard line as time expired on the 3rd quarter.

Two plays later, Austin Daughdrill found the end zone on a seven-yard run. The two-point conversion run by Daughdrill was also good giving Prentiss a 15-6 lead with 10:36 to play in the game.

Daley’s kickoff went deep into Cougar territory and a good tackle by Wesley Daughdrill pinned the Cougars all the way down on their own two-yard line. Brookhaven worked its way out of the hole and 14 plays later, the Cougars completed a 24-yard pass for a touchdown. The PAT was no good keeping a narrow 15-12 lead for the Saints with 5:59 to play in the game.

The following Brookhaven kickoff was caught by Daley, who was immediately tackled for no gain. A holding call and a loss of yardage put the Saints in bad field position on their own four-yard line. Facing a 4th and 26, the Saints elected to take the safety rather than attempting to punt from the back of their own end zone. Furthermore, it allowed Prentiss to kick the ball farther giving Brookhaven a longer distance to travel. Following the safety, the Saints lead was down to 15-14.

Daley then kicked off to the Cougars who would be tackled on the Saints 47-yard line.

Five plays later, the Cougars threw a 30-yard pass to a well-covered receiver for a touchdown. The two-point conversion run was no good giving the Cougars a 20-15 lead with just under three minutes to play in the match up. Goddard returned the following Cougar kickoff eight-yards to the Saints 30-yard line. Prentiss went deep into the playbook and called for a double pass on 1st down. QB Tanner Hathorn passed laterally to reserve QB Blake Greenlee who connected with wide-open Goddard for a 70-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion pass was incomplete giving Prentiss a 21-20 lead with 2:37 to play.

Daley kicked off to the Cougars who returned the ball 19-yards to their own 38-yard line. Nine plays later, the Cougars had worked their way down to the Prentiss 29 when Goddard again came up big for the Saints. A 4th down interception gave Prentiss Christian possession of the ball on the Saints 31-yard line.

Following an injury time out, the Saints were able to kneel on the ball as time expired on the clock. Prentiss Christian improved its overall record to 2-1 and 1-0 in conference play.

The Saints will travel to Ben’s Ford this week for what has become a rivalry game for many of those concerned.

 

Offensive stats:

Hathorn – 4 rushes, 11 yards, 2/5 passing, 31 yards, 1 TD;

Greenlee – 8 rushes, 14 yards, 4-6 passing, 121 yards, 1 TD;

Daughdrill – 12 rushes, 23 yards, 1 TD;

Lightsey – 4 rushes, 8 yards;

Goddard – 5 rec, 152 yards, 1 TD.

 

Defensive stats:

J. Lee – 1a;

W. Daughdrill – 4t 5a;

Greenlee – 1t 3a;

Holder – 2t 10a;

Goddard – 1t 2a 1int;

A. Daughdrill – 4t 6a;

Daley – 3t 1a;

Lightsey – 4t 12a;

Miller – 2t 12a;

Chavis – 2a;

H. Berry – 1a;

Sanders – 2t 1a;

Johnson – 6t

8a 1 sack;

Dungan – 2t 4a 1 f-r 1TD.