The Briarwood Lions took the first step of a two-step process Friday night, defeating Benjamin Russell, 34-20, and gaining much-needed momentum as they prepare to face the Homewood Patriots this week.

Lions’ head coach Fred Yancey said while his team didn’t mention the Patriots prior to Friday’s game against Benjamin Russell, his players understood just how important both games are.

&8221;We had to perform well to beat a good team,&8220; Yancey said. &8221;This was tough test No. 1. Now that this game is over, we can talk about tough test No. 2.&8220;

&8221;Tough test No. 2&8220; turns out to be the top 5A football team in the state of Alabama.

&8221;There’s no denying the fact that this will be are toughest challenge of the season,&8220; Yancey said.

An odd sentiment, some might think, seeing as Yancey’s team just knocked off the third best 5A team in the state in Benjamin Russell.

&8221;I was really proud of our guys because they came out and gave their all,&8220; he said. &8221;We didn’t mention anything but Benjamin Russell before this game and the focus paid off.&8220;

Yancey relied on his offensive duo in Lions’ quarterback Barrett Trotter and running back Bo Walters to provide his team’s offense against the Wildcats.

Trotter completed 11-of-19 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown while Walters reached the end zone twice on nine rushes for 18 yards.

&8221;It was a great game for us,&8220; Walters said. &8221;They had a great team but we had a lot of good practices this week and had a lot of confidence. Coach Yancey knows all of the right things to do to get us fired up.&8220;

Walters also threw for a touchdown and completed 1-of-2 passes for 29 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Riley Scruggs, Alex Davis and Andy Dennis led the Lions on the defensive side of the ball, notching 11, nine and seven tackles respectively. Dennis also had 2.5 sacks in the game.

As the game clock wound down, the Briarwood fans began to chant &8221;Bring on Homewood.&8220; The feeling was much the same among the Lions players and coaches.

&8221;Of course, we would really like to play well against Homewood,&8220; Yancey said. &8221;I have no doubt that this team will be ready to play.&8220;

Trotter said he expects his team to find holes in an seemingly flawless Patriots team.

&8221;I think we’ll do what we always do,&8220; he said. &8221;We’ll work hard and play to their weaknesses.&8220;