By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

BIRMINGHAM – The Briarwood Lions remained undefeated in area play and got back to their winning ways behind a run-heavy offense and using several key takeaways on defense to cruise to a 42-12 road win over John Carroll on Friday, Oct. 5.

The offensive outburst was a nice change from a week earlier, where the Lions (5-1, 4-0) were held to just seven points in an overtime loss to Hartselle.

“We worked really hard this week on trying to improve our offense,” Briarwood head coach Fred Yancey said. “We’ve sputtered early in the year and we sure didn’t do much offensively last week so the boys were bearing down and trying their best and we had a nice offense tonight.”

The Lions got things going early as running backs Luke Prewett and J.R. Tran-Reno combined for several nice runs on the opening drive as Tran-Reno capped it off with a 7-yard touchdown run to put Briarwood up 7-0.

On the Cavaliers (1-6, 1-3) opening drive of the game, the defense came up with a big play as defensive back Alaster Harris came up with an interception to give the ball back to the Lions’ offense.

Briarwood took advantage of the takeaway and after getting the ball inside John Carroll’s 10-yard line, the Lions ran a reverse to wide receiver Jay Kynerd around right end where he scored from nine yards out to make it 14-0 midway through the first quarter.

John Carroll’s lone score in the first half came on a one-yard touchdown run with 1:11 left in the first quarter to cut the Lions’ lead to 14-6.

Briarwood would quickly respond, as the Lions’ third touchdown came on a 4-yard touchdown run by Prewett that extended the lead to 21-6.

After a John Carroll punt, Briarwood’s longest play of the night happened midway through the second quarter when quarterback Jonah Carroll dropped back and dumped a pass off to Tran-Reno who scooted 67-yards down the sideline for the touchdown to make it 28-6.

Late in the second quarter, Briarwood was attempting to build on its lead near the Cavaliers goal line but a fumbled snap was recovered by John Carroll at the one-yard line.

A big momentum shift came on the next play as John Carroll fumbled and Briarwood’s Mark Hand scooped up the ball and scored from a yard out. This gave the Lions a 35-6 lead heading into halftime.

“We needed the takeaways because their quarterback and those receivers were red hot and they have a terrific offensive team,” Yancey said. “I give coach and his staff a lot of credit. John Carroll played us a fine game and my hat’s off to them for coming out and playing the game like it ought to be played.”

Briarwood’s lone score in the second half came on a one-yard touchdown run by Alex Key midway through the third quarter as the Lions’ ran the ball the majority of the second half to bleed the clock.

With the win, Briarwood remained undefeated in area play and will host Parker on Friday, Oct. 12.