New leaders emerge following runner-up finish

For Briarwood Christian School football coach Fred Yancey, each season is the same in many ways. But it’s also different in many ways.

“Last year was the same in the way that we had a great group of guys that really dedicated themselves to being as good as they could be, and they accomplished that goal,” said Yancey, who is entering his 29th season as head coach at Briarwood.

But each year varies with a team’s talent level and ultimate results.

In 2017, the Lions nearly finished off an unblemished campaign, but St. Paul’s snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the final moments of the Class 5A state championship game. 

This year’s group will enter the season with a 19-game regular season winning streak, coming off back-to-back region titles. In order to build upon either of those streaks, Yancey said the team’s dedication has to be at a high level.

Yancey said, “Whatever ability this bunch will have, they can’t cheat themselves by not giving it their best.”

OFFENSE

Briarwood’s offense played at a high level consistently last fall, averaging over 32 points per game and scoring more than 30 points nine times. But the Lions have several playmakers to replace across the unit. 

The star running back of the last two seasons, JR Tran-Reno, will transition to starting quarterback this fall after the graduation of Michael Hiers. Tran-Reno, a Vanderbilt commit, is a do-it-all athlete. He racked up over 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards last fall.

Yancey compared Tran-Reno’s ability to William Gray, who led the Lions to a 12-win season in 2016.

“William was a really good passer who gave us a run threat,” Yancey said. “That was a two-dimensional quarterback that really gave us the explosion we needed.”

Yancey said that along with Tran-Reno’s already-proven running ability, he is a good enough passer that the Lions won’t have to take anything out of their playbook in the passing game.

“He can be a triple threat guy [passing, running, punting] that we haven’t seen since maybe Barrett Trotter,” Yancey said. “We’re excited about him playing quarterback.”

Sophomore Jonah Carroll is an emerging talent that may garner some snaps this season as well.

Tran-Reno’s move to quarterback was facilitated by the emergence of running back Luke Prewett last fall. Prewett proved capable of producing with the ball in his hands, allowing the Lions to spread Tran-Reno out wide occasionally.

Alex Key and Andrew Hill provided glimpses of potential in limited action last fall and will get a chance to spell Prewett in the backfield at times.

The Lions are replacing starting receivers Carson Eddy and Hudson Hartsfield, leaving a void and an opportunity for a few other guys. Yancey called Jay Kynerd the fastest player on the team and he is expected to hold down one of the receiver spots. Bryce Perrien and Reid Mays should also get plenty of passes thrown their way. Blake McKenna will line up in the slot most plays for the Lions.

On the line, junior tackle Trent Howard has the potential to be the best lineman in school history, according to Yancey. Noah Whatley and J.A. Perry-Heard will hold down the fort at the guard spots and Landon Berg will play center. Opposite Howard, Ian Davis and Ross Godbehere are in the mix to claim a starting a spot.

DEFENSE

The Briarwood defense surrendered more than 14 points just three times last season. The Lions lost a handful of very productive starters, but they have at least one key player at all three levels returning.

Dalton Brooks will be a three-year starter along the line and Mark Hand will have the same distinction as a linebacker. Cade Dickinson doesn’t have that same amount of experience, but he produced an all-state season last fall to lead the Lions secondary.

Yancey said having three leaders like that parallels a “positive peer pressure.”

“They all see the pattern immediately,” he said. “They all understand how good those guys are and they want to match them, they want to try to be in that quality of play.”

Parker Will and Cole Garner should contribute along the line, Cal Reebals is a player the Lions like at linebacker, and Cade Mango will see action in the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Noah Nall gave the Lions a reliable option in the kicking game last fall and he will return as a junior. Tran-Reno or Carroll will likely handle the punting duties, with Tran-Reno and Perrien as two guys that will factor into the return game.

SCHEDULE

The Lions are unbeaten in region play over the last two seasons, but Class 5A, Region 4 will not be an easy road in 2018.

“I think we’re going to be the toughest 5A region in the state,” Yancey said.

With Wenonah remaining a tough region foe, the likes of Ramsay and Pleasant Grove have been added. The Lions will also play Fairfield, John Carroll, Parker and Woodlawn in region action. 

Out of the region, the Lions travel to Chelsea and Hartselle and will host Hueytown.