Lions remain perfect in region play
BIRMINGHAM -- The defense for the Briarwood Christian School football team shut out Parker on Friday night, with Parker’s only score coming from a fourth-quarter pick six thrown by a Lions’ backup quarterback.
The Lions dominated all night on both sides of the ball, leading to a 41-7 victory. Early in the first quarter, running back Luke Prewett ran for an 11-yard touchdown to put Briarwood up early, 6-0, after the two-point conversion was no good.
On the next Briarwood possession, Prewett had three carries that went for more than 10 yards, along with a 10-yard reception, though the Lions were unable score on the drive. Prewett finished the night with 80 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns. Prewett, who has missed some time due to injury this season, is “coming back at just the right time,” Briarwood head coach Fred Yancey said after the game.
The Lions defense forced three interceptions and six sacks on the night, allowing just over 100 yards of total offense, 57 of which came on one play.
Parker quarterback Christopher Williams threw his first interception to Cal Reebals late in the first quarter, with Reebals returning it to the 1-yard line, with JR Tran-Reno finishing the job with a 1-yard touchdown run. Tran-Reno finished with 14 rushing yards and two touchdowns, both scored inside the red zone.
Before a 57-yard screen pass early in the second quarter, the Thundering Herd had accumulated negative yards on offense, and couldn’t find a rhythm all night.
After the screen pass set the Herd up in the red zone, Williams faced a fourth down, and while in the process of being sacked, threw the ball up, only for it to fall in the hands of Lions linebacker Mark Hand, who returned it 87 yards for a touchdown to put Briarwood up 20-0.
On the second play of the ensuing drive, Williams found Luke Hand, for another interception at the Parker 32-yard line. Prewett had a 20-yard run followed by a 12-yard touchdown run.
Quarterback Jonah Carroll contributed through the air and on the ground, passing for 91 yards while rushing for 42 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown run.
Parker’s best offensive threat was backup quarterback Antonius Bufford, who rushed for 35 yards on seven carries. Williams finished with 125 yards, but completed only 10-of-31 pass attempts with three interceptions.
Yancey said he was proud of his defense’s effort Friday night.
“The defense really stepped up and set the tone all night,” Yancey said. “I feel like we’ve got a good defense.”
Briarwood plays Ramsay, who is 5-0 in Class 5A, Region 4, next week in a big-time matchup.
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