The Battle of the Brooks, the famously heated rivalry football game between the East Millbrook Cougars (EMMS) and West Millbrook Wildcats (WMMS), was last week on  September 28 Dozens of alumni were in attendance, including Chris Newcomb, former West Millbrook running back and now star Nickelback for Millbrook High. 

  I got a chance to catch up with him during halftime and asked for his thoughts on who was going to come out on top, “West Millbrook is a lot better team, coaching, and overall better program; I’ve got West Millbrook all-day,” he went on to give an unbiased score prediction; “I’m going to say 58-14. We’re a second-half team, no doubt; we start slow but will finish strong.”

  Newcomb’s predictions were only partially correct, as the Wildcats opened up the second half with a touchdown taking the lead for the first time since the opening score making the game 20-14. The Cougars answered right back with a touchdown of their own and successfully executed a 2-point attempt to take the lead back  22-20. After a crushing fumble by WMMS, the momentum was all for EMMS. The Wildcats, down one score late in the 4th quarter, were pinned inside their one-yard line after a massive 4th down goal line stop. 

  West Millbrook running back Amir Brown broke three tackles and was off the races finishing a stellar 99-yard touchdown run to put the Wildcats up late. West converted the 2-point attempt with a quick pass to Brady Graffam, scoring 28-22. However, the Cougars had one more shot leading a comeback drive, and the Wildcats needed one more stop to secure a victory. The Wildcats fended off the Cougars by intercepting the final throw of the game by cornerback Cairo Williams. Both teams battled to the final whistle in a game that will be classic in this ongoing rivalry series.