By BAKER ELLIS / Sports Editor

NORTH SHELBY – The Briarwood soccer Lions scored two goals in the first half of their first-round playoff match with John Carroll Catholic before adding another in the second half en route to a 3-2 win. Freshman Logan Frost scored once in each half while senior captain Josh Brower also scored in the first half for the Lions, as they held off a late charge from the Cavaliers to get the win and keep their season alive.

The Lions moved to 16-3-3 with the win, and are 15-1-2 in their last 18 games after starting the season 1-1-2. The 16 wins are the most for Briarwood since 2013 when the Lions ended the year 20-5-3 and won the 6A state title.

Briarwood will now host area rival Pelham on May 3 in the second round of the 6A playoffs. The Lions and the Panthers split their regular season series, as Pelham won the first meeting 3-2 before Briarwood took the second meeting, and the regular season area title crown, via a 2-1 decision on April 29.