Briarwood boys soccer takes title hunt 1 game at a time

On the first day of preseason soccer practice, Jeffrey Martin and Logan Frost passed a soccer ball back and forth on the Briarwood Christian School practice field. 

Frost scored 40 goals for the Lions boys soccer team in 2018. Martin watched most of them from the bench. 

About 10 seconds into his second varsity game of the season, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament for the third time. 

“It’s a feeling that you unfortunately get used to,” Martin said. “It hasn’t kept me down, though. I’m very optimistic about this team and the season ahead of us.” 

Martin, a senior, has been medically cleared to rejoin the Lions for their 2019 campaign. In rebounding from yet another injury, he has exemplified uncommon perseverance. 

That’s a trait the Briarwood boys will need to exhibit this spring. They, too, are looking to rebound from recent setbacks.

The Lions have reached the past two Class 4A-5A state final matches, only to see their title hopes dashed. They fell to the Randolph School in Huntsville 3-2 in 2017 and 5-1 in 2018. 

 “When we lead from our theology — that God is sovereign, he’s got a plan — we work as hard as we can as if it’s up to us,” fourth-year coach Shawn Brower said, “knowing in the end if it was in his will, we would have won.”

Brower lost a number of pieces from last year’s team, which won 21 consecutive games. But he returns 13 players who have been to the state final twice. 

Brower hopes that experience will translate to another successful season and culminate, perhaps, in a third shot at the state crown. A blue championship trophy won’t dominate team conversations, however. 

Brower said he wants his team to take its challenging schedule one game at a time and enjoy the journey of a long season.

His players want that, too. 

“Our goal is to just work as a team and enjoy playing the sport we love together,” Martin said. “If we put in the work andwe’re meant to be at state again this year, then it’ll happen.”

Briarwood will be tested throughout the season. In addition to meetings with bigger schools like Pelham, Thompson and Spain Park, the Lions will play two games each against their Area 7 opponents. 

The reshuffled area now includes Indian Springs School, which moved up a classification, and John Carroll Catholic, which dropped down a classification. Both have strong soccer programs. 

“We know that it’s going to be a very difficult area,” Brower said. “We’re going to try to focus there. If we can get through that, then we’ll look to what’s next.”

Even with a stiff schedule, Briarwood has the roster to navigate it unscathed. 

Frost, a senior striker who has signed with the University of South Carolina, is one of the state’s top scoring threats. He’ll be aided offensively by fellow senior Hamilton Bowen, the MVP of last year’s Birmingham Metro Tournament, and junior Bailey Morman.

Morman is a holding midfielder who will have a hand in all phases of Briarwood’s game. He has the confidence of his coach, who called him the Lions’ “engine,” and his teammates. 

“I think Bailey this year is going to put up some good numbers,” Frost said. 

Brower identified junior Noah Nall as a key member of Briarwood’s backline, and senior Sam Candler will start in goal. 

Martin, a defender, said the Lions just need to follow Brower’s lead to reach their potential. 

“He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had,” Martin said. “If we listen to him and play our hardest, then I think it’s going to be an interesting season.”