6 • Thursday, August 26, 2021
BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN
Journal photo by Marvin Gentry
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Members of the 2021 Briarwood Christian School varsity football team are: Miller Stubblefield, Luke Gilbert, Caleb Keller, Cooper Higgins, Robert Beason, Brady Waugh, Will Clarck, Grant Dickinson, Mathis Tindall, Ethan Anderson, Grey Reebals, Seth Alford, Josh Thompson, Reeves Pylant, AJ Davis, Nicolas Frost, Vance Hopkins, Reece Garner, Walker Chambless, Will Duncan, Christopher Vizzina, Sawyer Russell, Caleb Ward, Jake Scott, Haddon Stubbs, Riley Margene, Luke Reebals, Nicholas Dicen, Grant Bruce, Colton Williams, Ethan Carr, Jack Cornish, Peyton Steed, Luke Dickinson, Luke Taylor, Sawyer Click, Beau Barnes, Brooks Travis, Wells Connell, Luke Livingston, Caleb Laechelt, Louis Hoff, Adyn Barbour, Spencer Dickinson, Luke Long, Knox Merry, Aidan Punch, Preston King, Gavin McGullion, Max Luster, Cace Reynolds, Anderson O’Neal, Fowler Stutts, Walker Gray, Ike Witt, Hardy Thompson, Trey Saunders, Alex Hudson, Harrison Clemmer, Garrett Harmon, Charlie Heidepriem, Holden Patterson, Jackson Cowden, Andrew Gill, Andy Foust, James-Michael Tedesco, Alex Moorer, Andrew McAdams, Cole Carter, Jason Bess, Luke Schutlz, Brandon Kassouf, Griffin Clark, Rich Connell, John Taylor, Palmer Covin, Reid Hollis, Clay Dorrill, Jay Butler, Jackson Barnes, Gabe Margene, Sam Brewer, Blake Herritt, Peyton Fox, JC Ellerbee and Lude Solomon.
Lions Feature Plenty of Returning Playmakers By Rubin E. Grant
briarwood KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
A
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Junior Christopher Vizzina returns for his third season as the starting quarterback. “The best news of all is he’s a junior and I’ll have him next year,” Forester said. “Normally after two
2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20 Aug. 27 Sept. 3 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 7 Oct. 22 Oct. 29
Mad. Acad. 41-17(W) @Spain Park Chelsea* @Woodlawn* @Huffman* Mortimer Jordan Shades Valley* @Mountain Brook* Homewood* @Corner
*Conference game
briarwood AT A GLANCE
Journal photo by Marvin Gentry
s he enters his third year as the head coach of the football team at his alma mater, Matthew Forester finally can call the Briarwood Christian Lions his team. “This is the first varsity class to be entirely under me,” Forester said. “We’re really excited about it.” The Lions have had two solid seasons under Forester, including achieving an 8-3 record and reaching the second round of the state playoffs after moving up from Class 5A to 6A in 2020. Forester is eager to see whether the Lions can improve on that showing this season. “We’ve got a lot of returning playmakers on offense and some good players back on defense,” Forester said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how good we can be.” Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the 2021 Lions:
Briarwood coach Mathew Forester with, from left, Peyton Fox, Alex Moorer, Charlie Heidepriem and Holden Patterson.
years our quarterbacks are heading off to college.”
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Vizzina already has a bunch of college offers,
Head Coach: Matthew Forester 2020 Record: 8-3 Region: Class 6A Region 5: Homewood, Chelsea, Shades Valley, Huffman, Mountain Brook and Woodlawn. Stadium: Lion Pride Field (5,000)
“He can throw the ball as well as most anyone and he’s smart,” Forester said. Two sophomores, Josh Thompson and Caleb Ward, are battling to be the backup. “They have done a good job preparing themselves,” Forester said. “I’m excited about what we have at quarterback.”
Running Back
Senior Luke Reebals returns for his third season as a starter. “Normally, you don’t have gamechangers like that stay around for three years,” Forester said. “He’s a dynamic playmaker.” Senior Riley Margene and sophomore Cooper Higgins will share the load with Reebals in the backfield.
Receivers
Senior receiver Nicholas Dicen is another experienced skill player returning. “He’s been a steady cog for us,” Forester said. “He has made some big-time plays.” Jay Butler, Ethan Anderson and Sawyer Russell also provide good targets for Vizzina. Peyton Fox will serve as a tight end/H-back.
Offensive Line
including several from Power 5 NCAA Division I programs.
Forester said he’s excited about what the Lions have up front, including returning starters Charlie Heidepriem at center and Alex
