Lions host Woodlawn for homecoming

Following a season-opening defeat at the hands of Chelsea -- and it wasn't pretty -- the Briarwood Christian School football team has reeled off five straight victories, including four against Class 5A, Region 5 opponents.

That fifth straight wins came at the hands of St. Clair County last week, as the Lions (5-1, 4-0) rushed for 436 yards in a 44-6 triumph.

The story of the game was Briarwood’s rushing attack. Nine different players toted the ball for the Lions.

“It was a lot of guys,” head coach Fred Yancey said following the game. “Our line did block pretty well most of the night, and that allowed these backs to find a little room and they give their best shot to them. I was pleased that so many kids got to handle the ball and did a nice job with it.”

Leading the way was J.R. Tran-Reno, who rushed for 164 yards on 12 carries. Quarterback Williams Gray added 90 rushing yards on 12 carries, and Caleb Daniels chipped in with 77 yards on just three carries. Carson Eddy finished with 37 yards on six carries, and Jay Kynerd added 33 yards on three carries.

Briarwood will welcome Woodlawn to Lions Pride Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m. for homecoming, as the Lions look for their sixth consecutive victory.

“They’ve got 22 seniors and 20 juniors,” Yancey said. “They have experience. Woodlawn’s a pretty good team. We can’t get off to a slow start against them like we did tonight.”

After beginning the season 0-4, Woodlawn has rallied to win back-to-back games, wins over St. Clair County and Moody to bookend an open week.

Currently, the Colonels are tied with Pleasant Grove for the fourth spot in Region 5 with a 2-2 record. The top four teams in each region at the conclusion of the regular season qualify for postseason play. Briarwood remains in first place, a game ahead of Fairfield and Wenonah.