Lions and Dragons meet for first time

The Briarwood Christian School football team hopes it enjoys its move back to Class 5A as much as did in last Friday's shellacking of Moody.

Quarterback William Gray completed all five of his passes for 190 yards and four touchdowns -- all in the first half -- in the 42-6 drubbing. He also rushed for a touchdown in the first half.

“I’m very thankful to the team,” Gray said after the game. “The blocking was great, the play-calling was awesome and the receivers really went out and made plays. I’m very thankful for that.”

The Lions struggled in the move up to 6A in 2014 and 2015. They advanced to the postseason in both seasons, but with losing records. Assistant coach Shane Harmon spoke before the season about the team feeling like it could make a deeper postseason run being back at the 5A level, and this Friday will be an effective litmus test.

Wenonah blazed through Region 5 unbeaten last year, falling to eventual state finalist Mortimer Jordan in the second round of the playoffs.

Briarwood will make a visit to Bell-Culpepper Stadium for the first time in school history this Friday at 7 p.m. and face a Wenonah team off to a strong start in 2016.

The Dragons have scored at least 40 points in each of its first two games, and only allowed 14 total points. A 48-0 shutout of Midfield kicked off the season, followed by a 40-14 win over Woodlawn last week.

Briarwood's defense looked the part last week, limiting Moody to just a touchdown after the game was well out of reach.

Gray will likely have to throw more than five passes, but the Lions will need a team effort to pull off the win.