Lions head north for final regular season game

The Briarwood Christian School football team ran through its Class 5A, Region 5 slate unblemished and now faces one final contest before the state playoffs begin on Nov. 4.

On Friday night, the Lions (8-1, 7-0 Region 5) will travel north to face Class 4A opponent Madison Academy, perennially one of the top 3A programs in the state for the past eight years.

“That’s why it’s on the schedule,” Briarwood head coach Fred Yancey said following last week's 12-7 win over Pleasant Grove. “If we beat them, I’m going to feel real good about where we are headed into the playoffs.”

The Mustangs have beaten Briarwood each of the last two seasons, including a 27-22 decision last year, making Yancey's comments all the more relevant.

Last week's region bookend against Pleasant Grove would not fall under the easy category.

“It was a good, hard-fought game,” Yancey said. “A tough game to win.”

Briarwood quarterback William Gray finished 9-of-15 for 115 yards. He rushed 17 times for 36 yards and two touchdowns. J.R. Tran-Reno churned out 66 yards on 11 carries.

Briarwood got interceptions from Hudson Hartsfield and Mark Hand. Jonathan Hill recovered a fumble. Pleasant Grove managed just three first downs in the second half.

“I was real pleased for the defense not breaking,” Yancey said. “Any time you can hold a team to seven points, you’ve got a good chance to win the game.”

Madison Academy currently sits with a 7-2 overall record, including 5-1 in 4A, Region 7. The game will be solid preparation for the Lions' first-round playoff game, against Corner at Lions Pride Stadium on Nov. 4.

“Things like this will help you have better practices the next week,” Yancey said. “They realize we’ve got work to do.”

- Gary Lloyd contributed to this story.