Kyle Parmley
Briarwood Football
Briarwood assistant coach Shane Harmon with Jordan Harmon, left, and William Gray, right, at the Jefferson-Shelby Media Days on July 25, 2016, at the Gardendale Civic Center.
Briarwood Christian School took its turn as part of the Jefferson-Shelby Media Days on Monday morning, taking 15 minutes to preview the Lions’ slate and expectations for the 2016 season.
Defensive line coach Shane Harmon was flanked by senior defensive end Jordan Harmon and senior quarterback William Gray, as the Lions feel they have the pieces to make some noise in 2016.
The Lions are coming off consecutive four-win regular seasons, and despite making the postseason both years, they are aiming higher.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, getting to the point that we need to get to for this upcoming season,” Jordan Harmon said. “We’ve had two disappointing records, and we’re tired of that and we just have to work extra hard. It’s been a very hard offseason, but very productive.”
Due to AHSAA reclassification, Briarwood is making the transition from Class 6A, down to 5A. Shane Harmon does not see much change as far as the competitive nature of the Lions’ new region, but did note the opportunity of potentially advancing deeper into the postseason.
He said, “We were competitive with everyone we played with in 6A. The games we lost were more of not playing well and executing like we needed to. The difference was when we got in the playoffs.”
In 2014, the opponent was Florence, who Shane Harmon said was just a better team. Last fall, the Lions defeated Fort Payne in the first round of postseason, before coming up against a tough Austin team. In 5A, though, that should be different.
“When we get into the playoffs, our best effort will be good enough to compete with whoever we face,” he said.
The Briarwood offense returns a great deal of experience, including four senior offensive lineman along with Gray’s top two receiving targets, Carson Eddy and Kolby Kwarcinski, who he said he “trusts with his life.”
Jordan Harmon will attempt to help the defense hold up its end of the bargain, as the Lions look to make the playoffs for the 24th consecutive season under head coach Fred Yancey.
He said the number is not talked about amongst teammates, but there is a sense of pride about the streak and a drive to continue it.
“There’s an expectation we’re going to make the playoffs every year,” he said.
