Dedmon Leads Briarwood Christian Past Wenonah 40-22

BIRMINGHAM, AL – Briarwood Christian School secured a decisive victory over the Wenonah Dragons, winning the Class 5A, Region 5 matchup with a final score of 40-22 Friday night, on the road, at Bell-Cullpepper Stadium. The Lions established control early and maintained their lead throughout the contest to improve to 3-2 on the season, 2-0 in region play.  The loss slips Wenonah to 2-2, 0-2.

Lions Dominate Early

Briarwood set the tone from the opening kickoff, never trailing in the game. The offense clicked early, putting together multiple scoring drives to build a commanding 21-7 lead by halftime. This early offensive surge gave the Lions a comfortable cushion and put pressure on the Wenonah Dragons to play catch-up for the remainder of the evening. The defensive unit also contributed significantly, limiting Wenonah’s offensive opportunities in the first two quarters.

Dedmon’s Standout Performance

Briarwood signal caller Charles Dedmon was the catalyst for the Lions’ high-powered offense. He delivered an exceptionally efficient performance, completing 12 of 15 pass attempts for 215 yards. Dedmon was responsible for four passing touchdowns, showcasing his accuracy and ability to find open receivers. He also proved to be a dual threat, adding 37 yards on the ground with five carries.

His favorite target was Sam Canale, who had a productive night with four receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Eli Thompson also made a significant impact with a single, explosive 63-yard touchdown reception. Dane Whitehead rounded out the scoring receivers, catching three passes for 21 yards and a touchdown.

Wenonah Shows Fight Despite Loss

Despite the outcome, Wenonah had notable individual performances. Running back Demazzia Taylor was a bright spot for the Dragons’ offense, running for 125 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries. Taylor also contributed to the passing game, catching three passes for 62 yards.

Wenonah quarterback Carlton Cherry completed 8 of his 23 passes for 114 yards and one touchdown. However, the Briarwood defense proved formidable, forcing three interceptions that stalled Wenonah’s offensive drives and created crucial turnovers.

Region Implications and What’s Next

With this important region win, Briarwood improves to 3-2 and remains undefeated in Class 5A, Region 5 play with a 3-0 record. The Lions will look to continue their momentum next week when they travel up Highway 119 to take on the Leeds Green Wave (4-1, 2-1).

The Dragons fall to 2-2 on the season and 0-2 in region play. They will aim to bounce back next week with a road trip to rival Huffman (1-3, 0-2).