Leeds Stages Fourth-Quarter Comeback to Slip Past Briarwood Christian

A Thrilling Finish in Class 5A 

LEEDS, AL – In a stunning turn of events, the ninth-ranked Leeds Green Wave orchestrated a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Briarwood Christian Lions 29-28 Friday night at Homer Smiles Field. A perfectly executed trick play for a 30-yard touchdown in the final period capped off a rally that saw Leeds erase a 12-point deficit, handing the Lions a heartbreaking loss on the road.

The game was a classic battle of momentum, with both teams trading blows. Briarwood Christian appeared to have control, entering the final quarter with a comfortable 28-16 lead. However, the Green Wave showcased their resilience, delivering a memorable performance to secure a crucial victory after suffering their first loss last week

The non-region win improves the Green Wave to 5-1 overall, 2-1 in Region 6 play.  Briarwood slips to 3-3 on the season but remain in the drivers seat for a region title with a perfect 3-0 record in Region 5.  

Game-Winning Drive Seals the Deal

The decisive moment came on a gutsy call from the Leeds sideline. Wide receiver Taylon Gaiter took a reverse and, instead of running, launched a 30-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Jordan Smith. The play caught the Lions’ defense completely off guard and sent the home crowd into a frenzy, giving Leeds its first and only lead of the night when it mattered most.

This game-winning score was the culmination of a determined final-period push. Earlier in the quarter, Leeds quarterback Sam Lollar began to chip away at the Briarwood lead. He connected with Gavin Howard for a 6-yard touchdown pass, and Tyler Vandiver’s successful extra point narrowed the score to 28-23, setting the stage for the late-game heroics.

Standout Player Performances

Several players delivered exceptional performances in this high-stakes contest.

Leeds Green Wave

For Leeds, quarterback Sam Lollar was instrumental in the victory. He demonstrated poise and accuracy throughout the game, completing 21 of his 28 pass attempts for an impressive 290 yards and a touchdown.

The receiving corps was led by Jordan Smith, who not only caught the game-winning touchdown but also led all receivers with 8 catches for 124 yards. Jacauri Swain was another reliable target for Lollar, hauling in 6 passes for 95 yards. On the ground, Tylin Moultrie provided the scoring punch, finding the end zone twice while rushing for 33 yards on 7 carries.

Briarwood Christian Lions

Despite the loss, Briarwood Christian had strong individual efforts. Quarterback Charles Dedmon threw for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns on 9-of-21 passing. Running back Jamison Barnes was a key factor in the Lions’ offense, rushing for two touchdowns on 11 carries.

In the receiving game, Dane Whitehead led the Lions with 3 catches for 60 yards. Eli Thompson and Tram Walker each caught a touchdown pass, contributing significantly to Briarwood’s offensive output.

A Game of Shifting Momentum

The high school football results from this matchup show a game that was a true rollercoaster. Briarwood Christian established an early lead, going up 7-0 after the first quarter. By halftime, they maintained a 20-14 advantage. The Lions extended their lead in the third quarter, outscoring Leeds 8-2 to build what seemed like a commanding 28-16 lead heading into the final frame.

However, the fourth quarter belonged entirely to Leeds. The Green Wave’s offense came alive, scoring 13 unanswered points to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Looking Ahead: Playoff Implications

This victory was significant for the Leeds football program, improving their overall record to 5-1. The win also snapped a three-game winning streak for Briarwood Christian.  

The road ahead remains challenging for both teams. The Green Wave will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup as they travel to Odenville to face the St. Clair County Saints (4-1, 1-1). Meanwhile, head coach Matthew Forester’s Lions will aim to bounce back in a crucial Region 5 showdown against the Corner Yellow Jackets (4-1, 1-1) next Friday night at Lion’s Pride Stadium.