Lions look to finish perfect region slate

The Briarwood Christian School football team has the opportunity to do something this week that was last accomplished in 2011.

A perfect region record.

The Lions (7-1, 6-0 Class 5A, Region 5) swept through their region with a perfect record three straight years from 2009 through 2011, and with a win against visiting Pleasant Grove on Friday at 7 p.m. at Lions Pride Stadium, can do so again this fall.

This is also Briarwood’s first region title since that 2011 season, wrapped up last week in the Lions’ win over Shelby County, which was also the 250th win of Fred Yancey’s storied career.

“I’m proud of all the teams I’ve coached and the fun I’ve had all these years,” Yancey said following the game. “I’m real thankful for all that led up to this, and I really appreciate the guys tonight playing so well.”

In the game, quarterback William Gray was almost perfect, completing 14 of his 15 attempts for 203 yards before being pulled out in the fourth quarter. He threw three touchdown passes with no interceptions.

Pleasant Grove (4-4, 4-2) clinched a playoff berth in last week’s sluggish 13-12 victory over Woodlawn. The Spartans have won back-to-back games after starting the season 2-4 and conclude the regular season with three games on the road; last week, this week, and next week against Pinson Valley.

It appears that Briarwood already knows its first round opponent, as Corner has been locked into the No. 4 seed in Region 6.

But before that, the Lions travel to Madison Academy next week.