Lions optimistic despite move up to 6A
Editor's Note: As of press time, the high school football season was still set to begin Aug. 21. It was unclear whether the season would be altered due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Matthew Forester experienced plenty of firsts as the Briarwood Christian School head football coach in 2019.
But just as he completed his first full cycle of everything an off season and a fall season contained, he was thrown a curveball.
With the COVID-19 pandemic altering life in the early spring months, spring football practice went by the wayside, along with many other things.
“You’re getting that routine and getting ready to start up, and here comes the coronavirus and we’re not ready to start anymore,” Forester said.
While Forester wishes he was able to get on the field with his team in the spring, it may end up being a blessing in disguise for the Lions’ program. A large number of student-athletes at Briarwood play multiple sports, meaning many of them are involved in other spring sports while the football team assembles.
“We have so many spring sport guys anyways, we’ll see what it’s like for everyone not to have spring training,” Forester said.
After dropping the first two games in 2019, Briarwood rolled off 11 straight victories and advanced to the Class 5A semifinals. The Lions will look to get back to that point and perhaps a step further in 2020.
OFFENSE
Early last season, Briarwood turned the offense over to freshman quarterback Chris Vizzina. The move paid off in a big way, as the Lions went on their long winning streak. Vizzina is back as a sophomore with plenty of experience in hand.
“Now that he’s started 12 games, let’s open the offense up a little bit more,” Forester said of the offensive plans for this fall.
Forester often marveled at Vizzina’s poise in pressure-packed moments, a trait made even more remarkable by the fact he was just 14 years old last fall.
“You saw the intangibles, where he’s going to be cool under pressure, he’s going to be a team-first guy,” Forester said.
Sophomores Knox Baker and Brady Waugh add depth to the quarterback position.
At running back, the Lions had to make a move by necessity last fall following the injury of Luke Prewett. They moved Luke Reebals from receiver into the backfield, and he showed plenty of promise in the latter portions of the season. He will be joined by Riley Margene at the running back spot this season.
Out wide, Briarwood has to replace Blake McKenna. But the Lions get Brooks Donnelly back from injury, with Eli Steadman joining him on the outside. Payton Clement, Sawyer Tindall, Nic Dicen and Luke Gilbert will also get their chances to earn playing time. Bailey Salmon and Sam Gage are candidates to play in the tight end role.
Along the offensive line, the Lions have to fill the void created by Trent Howard, the most decorated lineman in program history, who is now at Clemson. The unit will likely be anchored by junior guard Alex Moorer. Peyton Fox and Charlie Heidepriem are expected to hold down the tackle positions, with Daniel Corbin, Jason Bess and Harrison Clemmer vying for time at the other guard spot. Harris Smith is penciled in to play center.
DEFENSE
The Briarwood defense has long been a staple of the team, and the Lions allowed just under 16 points per game last fall. The unit has six returning starters with plenty of experience who should pave the way for another successful season in 2020.
Up front, Miller Stubblefield will be expected to take the next step, with Holden Patterson, Clay Dorrill, Carson McKeen and Tyler Smith contributing along the defensive line.
Briarwood has all-state performer Tyler Waugh and Parker Hutson back at linebacker to anchor a strong position group. Aaron Cale and Luke Hand will get their chance to fill the other starting linebacker spot.
Alastair Harris will be a three-year starter in the Lions’ secondary.
“Any time you’ve got a three-year starter on defense, he’s got to be a big time player for us. He’s a rock,” Forester said.
Cal Higdon also has starting experience in the secondary. Vraj Patel, Haddon Stubbs, Reece Garner, Ethan Anderson and Seth Alford will all be in the mix to fill out the remaining positions in the secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Forester called the special teams unit the biggest hole on the team, with do-it-all talent Noah Nall finally graduating. Hutson, the long snapper on punts, is the only returning special teams contributor. Jakob Brower and Aidan Punch have joined the team in hopes that they will be able to shoulder the load at kicker and punter.
SCHEDULE
Briarwood moves up to Class 6A this fall, playing in Region 5 now. The Lions open the season with non-region games against Madison Academy before jumping right into region play. They will play six straight weeks, with Mortimer Jordan a non-region foe sandwiched by Chelsea, Woodlawn, Huffman, Shades Valley and Mountain Brook. After an open week, the Lions conclude the regular season with a region game at Homewood and a home matchup with out-of-region Corner.