QUICK HITS REPLACING A LEGEND Simply put, Fred Yancey is a Hall of Famer in this state. In his 29-year career at Briarwood, he posted an overall record of 278-95, went 136-23 in region play, won 16 region championships, went to the playoffs 27 times, held a playoff record of 59-24, made six trips to the state championship game and had three state titles. There is no replacing him, just remembering the legend that was. THE RIGHT GUY FOR THE JOB While you can’t replace a legendary coach like Yancey, Briarwood made the perfect call by hiring Matthew Forester. Forester has been the team’s defensive coordinator the last few years, which should make the transition smooth. The defense has also been one of the best in the state in his time there. Over the last three years, the Lions have allowed just 11.4 points per game with a recored of 35-6 in that span. He has also helped Briarwood total 16 shutouts in his eight years, while holding 33 opponents to seven points or less in 103 games. DEFENSIVE FORCE Last year alone, Briarwood gave up just 11.1 points per game and in the last three years has given up 11.4 points per game. That’s what this team has been living on lately, and even with a subpar offense last year due to inconsistency at quarterback and receiver, the defense helped hold six opponents to seven points or less and nine to 14 points or less. If they are that good again this year, they’ll be competing for another region crown. CONSISTENCY ON OFFENSE While the defense can carry the team to the playoffs, we saw last year that the offense also has to be clicking for this team to be a strong playoff threat. Averaging just 25 points per game last year, the Lions will need to be more consistent, specifically throwing the ball and catching the ball, to be a championship contender. WELCOME TO THE LIONS’ PRIDE The schedule didn’t set up well for Briarwood in 2018, as the Lions had to travel in six of their first eight games. In 2019, however, the script flips and Briarwood will now play at home in six of their first eight games. The Lions have to take advantage of that and get off to a fast start.
22
2019 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
2019 Briarwood Roster NO. NAME
POSITION YEAR
NO. NAME
POSITION YEAR
1
Luke Hand
LB 11
36
Peyton Fox
LB 10
2
Brooks Donnelly
WR 11
37
A.J. Davis
WR 10
3
Christian Ferguson RB 12
38
Mathis Tindall
WR 10
4
Jonah Carroll
QB 11
42
Knox Merry
LB 10
5
Cal Higdon
DB 11
43
Noah Nall
K 12
6
Chase Travis
DB 12
44
Clay Dorrill
DL 10
7
Blake McKenna
WR 12
45
Buddy Campbell
LB 11
8
Luke Prewett
RB 12
46
Cole Garner
DL 12
9
Cohen Luker
QB 11
48
Miller Stubblefield
DL 10
10
Andrew Jones
DB 12
50
Grant Bruce
LB 10
11
Parker Hutson
LB 11
52
Hardy Thompson
LB 10
12
Eli Steadman
DB 11
53
Alex Hudson
OL 10
13
Luke Reebals
WR 10
54
Turner Murphy
DL 12
14
James Hancock
WR 12
55
Christian Pearson
OL 12
15
Sam Gage
RB 11
56
Garrett Harmon
DL 10
16
John Elliot
QB 11
57
Knox Wolsoncroft
OL 12
17
Christopher Vizzina QB 9
58
Charlie Heidepriem OL 10
18
Peyton Clement
WR 11
59
Holden Patterson
20
Seth Alford
DB 10
60
Clayton Rasmussen OL 12
DL 10
21
Haddon Stubbs
DB 10
63
Reeves Pylant
OL 10
22
Reece Garner
DB 10
64
Carson McKeen
OL 11
23
Cal Reebals
LB 12
65
James Michael Tedasco DL
24
Nicholas Dicen
WR 10
66
Alex Moorer
OL 10
10
25
Pierce Reichle
WR 11
67
Rich Connell
OL 10
26
Tyler Smith
DL 11
71
Parker Will
DL 12
27
Sawyer Tindall
WR 11
74
Alex Miller
OL 12
28
Andrew Hill
RB 11
75
Trent Howard
OL 12
29
Bailey Salmon
WR 11
76
Abner Taylor
OL 12
30
Tyler Waugh
LB 11
79
Harris Smith
OL 11
31
Alastair Harris
DB 11
81
Jay Butler
WR 10
32
Daniel Corbin
DL 11
87
Chandler Key
WR 11
33
Will Barnes
DB 12
88
Will Brewer
DL 11
34
Riley Margene
RB 10
89
Ethan Anderson
WR 10
35
Crawford Kent
LB 12
OFFENSIVE LINE While the offensive line is having to replace four starters, there are several seniors ready to step in for their turn, which is nothing new for the Lions, while they’ll also return Trent Howard as a three-year starter. Going into his senior season, Howard is committed to Georgia Tech and is one of the best linemen
in the state standing at 6-foot-4, 285 pounds. Alex Miller, Clayton Rasmussen and Christian Pearson are the three other seniors that will step in as starters. Forester said the team is counting on them to step up, but with experience in the system, they’ll have plenty of opportunity. Carson McKinney, Harris Smith and Abner Taylor
EDITOR’S 2019 PREDICTION (8-2) Year-in and year-out, it’s hard not to consider Briarwood a favorite to win the Class 5A State Championship and finishing further down the region standings than second seems nearly impossible. While there will be some adjustments early with their first new coach in 30 years, the Lions should be extremely good defensively yet again, which will allow them to ease into the season. If Carroll is improved at quarterback and the receiving corps can get open, Briarwood will easily be in contention for the region championship. With several 6A opponents on the schedule, and Ramsay in their region, it won’t be easy for the Lions, but they should still finish at least second in the region.