Postgame Recap | Briarwood shuts out Etowah 31-0 to advance to 5A semifinals

Birmingham, AL – The top ranked Briarwood Christian Lions blanked the fifth ranked Etowah Blue Devils 31-0 to punch their ticket to the 5A semifinals. 

Lions quarterback Michael Hiers connected with Noah Whatley from 32 yards out to put the home team up 7-0 early in the first.  Noah Nall split the uprights from 27 yards out to give the Lions a 10-0 as time expired on the first quarter.

Midway through the second, Briarwood’s Cade Dickinson picked off a DeRickey Wright pass setting up a Hiers to to Luke Prewett 19 yard scoring strike.  Davis Sherrod blocked a Etowah field goal attempt deep in Lions territory to give Briarwood a 17-0 advantage going into the break. 

After a scoreless third quarter, Briarwood’s Carson Eddy bolted into the endzone from five yards out five ticks into the fourth putting the Lions on top 24-0.  J.R. Tran-Reno capped the scoring with just over eight minutes remaining, scampering into the endzone from the inside the Etowah 30 yard line. 

The undefeated Lions are making their second consecutive trip to the 5A final four.  This time around Fred Yancey’s squad will face a rematch with region foe St. Clair Co.  Briarwood defeated St. Clair 31-6 in the teams regular season meeting.   The Lions and Saints will meet Friday night in Lion’s Pride Stadium.