Brilla Amateurs from Oct 23 game are (front row, left to right) Walker Gibson, Dave Dixon, Matt Cox, Rusty Bryant, Dave Thomas (back row) Scott Taylor, Scott Lucky, Casey Combest, Steve Taylor, Tripp Douglas & Todd Eason.

Eleven members of Brilla's Amateur Team had the opportunity to compete against the inmates in the Yazoo County Federal Prison on Sunday, October 23. As if playing in a prison is not unusual enough, the experience began with an unfortunate and bizarre event.
 
"When we arrived at the prison, we were informed that one of our players, Scott Lucky, was inadvertently left off of the visitor's list by the prison staff," said Rusty Bryant. "Because of all of the rules and regulations associated with visitors within a prison, they were unable to add him to the list after we arrived."
 
"All of Lucky's paperwork was turned in ahead of time, but sometimes things happen and we don't really know why," said Scott Taylor. "Lucky had to spend two hours in the prison parking lot, but we had the unique opportunity of adding an inmate to our team for the game. We trust that God knew what he was doing, even in the midst of an unfortunate circumstance."
 
Fortunately for the Brilla team, the inmate proved to be quite the soccer player, and actually contributed 3 goals by half-time.
 
"Most of our players were a little older and out of shape," said Dave Dixon. "We really played well together in the first half, though, and were pretty excited to head into half-time with a 3-1 lead."
 
Of course, half-time is the most exciting part of the event for the Brilla players. Scott Taylor was able to share a message of hope, love, and forgiveness to the players and other inmates that had come to watch the friendly competition.
 
"Our purpose for playing in the prison is just to hang out, fellowship, and share with the inmates," said Steve Taylor. "We were very fortunate to have had this opportunity for the third time."
 
For those keeping score, the inmates pulled things together in the second half, and finished with a 6-4 victory.