By BAKER ELLIS / Sports Editor

NORTH SHELBY – Briarwood simply couldn’t find the end zone against a stout Patriots defense on Friday, Sept. 11 as the Lions fell to 0-3 for the second time since 2012 after a 27-0 loss to Homewood at home.

The Patriots got on the board first when Derrick Underwood got loose and scored from 16 yards out to give Homewood a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. In the second, Briarwood quarterback William Gray fumbled, and Antarius Mitchell scooped up the loose ball and raced into the end zone to give the Patriots a 13-0 halftime lead.

Briarwood held Homewood scoreless in the third before the Patriots added two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to seal the game. Quarterback Carson Griffins put the cap on a scoring drive with a one-yard touchdown dive with less than 10 minutes left in the fourth, and then Nick McCoy scored from 16 yards out with just over four minutes left to cap off the scoring.

Gray completed 15 of 26 passes for 45 yards and no scored while Carson Eddy led all Briarwood rushers with 25 yards on four attempts. Eddy also led all receivers in receptions with four.

The Lions will try and regroup next week as they travel to Hueytown on Sept. 18.