Brookhaven Academy coach Ron Rushing draped his right arm around the shoulder of Trinity Episcopal’s Graham Roberts and waited for their two football teams to gather at mid field. After the pair exchanged a few post-game sentiments, Roberts stripped off his Saints visor as the craziness of Friday night’s matchup sank in for the first time.

The Saints dropped a back-and-forth battle to the Cougars, 41-40, giving Rushing his first win since leaving as head coach of Cathedral in 2016.

Brookhaven’s final score came on a 1-yard run from quarterback Dawson Flowers with just 14 seconds remaining in the game.

“My mind is totally shot,” Rushing said. “That was like a roller coaster — going up and down. It feels absolutely wonderful, and it feels as good as any (win) I’ve ever had.”

Trinity ended with 403 yards of total offense, led by Jared Simpson and Jarkarius Caston with three touchdowns each.

Saint quarterback Sterling Yarbrough found Simpson on three touchdown passes in the first half. Caston caught two additional scores from Yarbrough and added another on the ground.

While Roberts said he wished for a different outcome, his team did all it could.

“They are tough kids, and I’m very proud of them,” he said.

Roberts also said though he doesn’t like to lose, he was glad Rushing could grab his first win with the Cougars.

“It’s a bitter deal, but it couldn’t happen to a better guy. Ron is just a phenomenal coach. He has a hard-working bunch of kids,” he said. “I look up to good coaches, and he’s one worth looking up to.”

In a possible call of desperation, Brookhaven’s winning score was set up on a 75-yard hook-and-ladder play down the left sideline. Logan Murray was credited for the big gain on the pitch from Cade Brown.

“It was a last heave, and it was perfectly timed. That was a gusty call,” Roberts said. “It will live with me for a while. They just executed.”

Rushing ended last season in his first year heading the Cougars at 0-10, working his way to building a program. He said the win solidifies just how much effort his team has given during the bad times.

“When you are losing, a lot of people turn on you but our numbers are up, and the excitement in the school is up,” he said. “To get where they are now, I am as proud of them as any team I have coached.”

Yarbrough ended the night passing 17-for-25 with 312 yards for Trinity. He also threw four interceptions, in which three were returned for touchdowns.

Among other things — like their 90 yards worth of penalties, Roberts said the Saints still need some work overall.

“We have to stay clean,” he said. “We made some mental mistakes that cost us.”

Trinity (1-1) is set to host Cathedral next Friday night.

 

 

BROOKHAVEN ACADEMY 41, TRINITY 40

BA 0 14 20 6 — 41

TE 8 14 13 6 — 40

BATE

FD 8 22

Rush 18-40 40-91

Pass 9-13-1 17-25-4

Yard 162 312

FB-L 3-3 3-0

Punt 2-17.5 1-32

Pent 7-60 14-90

Scoring Summary

1Q 4:57 T Jared Simpson 63 pass from Sterling Yarbrough (Cedric Daniels rnu)

2Q 11:36 T Simpson 15 pass from Yarbrough (run fail)

2Q 9:04 BA Cade Brown 15 pass from Dawson Flowers (kick fail)

2Q 6:33 BA Keegan Smith 80 interception return (Brown pass from Flowers)

2Q :09 T Simpson 14 pass from Yarbrough (Yarbrough run)

3Q 8:56 BA Ethan Nations 8 pass from Flowers (Nations pass from Flowers)

3Q 8:40 Brown 54 interception return (Smith kick)

3Q 5:31 T Jakarius Caston 40 pass from Yarbrough (run fail)

3Q 3:05 BA Tate Felder 42 interception return (kick fail)

3Q 1:30 T Caston 44 pass from Yarbrough (run fail)

4Q 9:44 T Caston 3 run (pass fail)

4Q :14 Flowers 1 run (pass fail)