Briarwood Christian Lions
That kid
Every team needs “that kid,” a player who displays heart, leadership or other intangibles — not only under the Friday night lights but also during the sweltering heat of August practices.
“[Jake Morris] He’s our safetyman, but he has pretty good speed and could play wide receiver if needed. He’s going to be a return guy. Really and truly, any place I would put him I know he would be able to handle the position because he’s very, very smart in school and very smart on the field.”
-Coach Fred Yancey
Quarterback play, defense are keys to Briarwood’s season
The Lions don’t return a lot of starters, but coach Fred Yancey, heading into his 25th season as Briarwood’s head coach, said that’s not really unusual for his squads.
“We’re usually a senior-dominated team and the kids that start are starting for the first time,” Yancey said. “But they’ve started at JV, been backups and have been in the program, so this is really pretty common for us. A lot of times our starters don’t start until they become seniors, so they’ve been working toward this.”
The Lions went two rounds deep in last season’s 6A playoffs at the end of a 9-3 season in Class 5A, Region 4. If they stay healthy, even with the step up in class, the Lions should make the playoffs again this season. In last year’s region, they were runner-up to champion Homewood, which moves with the Lions to the new Class 6A, Region 5 along with John Carroll, Hueytown, Jackson-Olin, Minor, Walker and Pelham.
OFFENSE
Just two starters return on offense, but the good news is that junior Walker Lott is back at quarterback. “Last year as a 10th-grader he came in about the fourth game of the season as a starter due to injury, and he took us to eight wins in a row,” Yancey said. “He did a wonderful job for us.” Lott has good size at 6-2, 215 pounds with good speed, so is a threat passing and running.
Senior Jordan DePaolantonio (5-9, 175) and junior William Barfield (5-10, 180) are projected to lead the running backs, and although they haven’t started, Yancey believes they’ll be pretty good. Junior Luke Dyson and senior William Rutledge lead the receiving corps. “William has had a real good spring and summer as a receiver.”
George Green is the only returning starter on the line. He started at guard last but will play some guard and center. “He was a fine player a year ago and we think he’ll be a good one this year,” Yancey said.
The veteran coach plans to be balanced, running and passing equally. “We feel like we have to be able to do both depending on the defense.”
DEFENSE
The Lions return five starters on defense, three on the line, and two in the secondary, so Yancey thinks they’ll be strong there. Seniors Carson Cupo and Jacob Shirley and junior Carter Bankston return to anchor the front. “They were pretty good last year, so they should be even better this year,” Yancey said.
At linebacker, Yancey said starting spots are still up for grabs as fall practice opens. Wilson Hand, Watkins Youngblood and James Holladay are leading the pack at the moment. Cornerback Travis Hightower and safety Sam Sherrod return in the secondary.
Jake Morris will start at a safety spot. Yancey calls him the ultimate Briarwood Lion – a player with great attitude, heart and smarts. “Jake has pretty good speed, could play some wide receiver if needed, is going to be a return guy. Really and truly, anyplace I would put him, I know he would be able to handle the position because he’s very smart in school and he’s very smart on the field.”
If the linebackers come around, Briarwood should have a solid defense that will keep the Lions in every game.
“We always try hard to have a real good defense,” Yancey said. “We intentionally put some good athletes on the defensive side of the ball so that we have a chance to stop people. Over the years we’ve been able to play good defense, and we’re counting on that again this year.”
SPECIAL TEAMS
These players should be a strength. Senior Chandler Wilkins returns for the third year at punter, and he’s a weapon who can flip the field. Junior Jonathan McGehee returns as place-kicker, and Yancey said he’s improved over the offseason. Morris is likely to handle most of the returns after doing so last year. Dylan Rizzo is also in the mix.