The Briarwood Christian Lions stepped up big in region play to defeat Benjamin Russell on the road 17-14 last Friday night.

That feat was not lost on Lions&8217; head football coach Fred Yancey. He said that to defeat a team like Benjamin Russell in only the second region game of the season was good for his squad.

He also said he thought his Lions were in one of the better regions of 5A football.

While the Lions and Wildcats were pretty close in rushing yards, 76 for Briarwood to 128 for the Wildcats, the Lions dominated through the air.

Briarwood was 19 of 36 passes for 228 yards. Benjamin Russell could manage but 78 yards on through the air.

Briarwood was flagged 11 times for 121 yards to just five penalties for 25 yards against the Wildcats.

The Lions were led through the air by Barrett Trotter who was 18 of 35 with two interceptions for 210 yards.

This contest began and ended with two safeties against the Wildcats. In both occasions the football was kicked out of the end zone on punts.

But the turning point of the game came when on a fourth-and-7, trailing 8-14; Trotter ad-libbed a 38-yard touchdown run. With the extra point by Matthew Gordon true, the Lions were up 15-14.

The second safety was but icing on the cake.

Leading defensive players for Briarwood included Bo Walters, who had 11 tackles (three for loss), Lance Coggins, who had 10 tackles and a fumble recovery and Gordon who had three tackles, one sack, two pass break ups, a blocked punt and a forced fumble.

Gordon also caught a 33-yard TD pass reception.

The 5A Lions (2-1, 2-0) will next host region opponent Anniston for homecoming