NEWS

SPORTS

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

As 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:

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

“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.”

Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

Briarwood coach Mathew Forester with, from left, Peyton Fox, Alex Moorer, Charlie Heidepriem and Holden Patterson. 2021 SCHEDULE

Aug. 20 Mad. Acad. 41-17(W) Aug. 27 @Spain Park Sept. 3 Chelsea* Sept. 9 @Woodlawn* Sept. 16 @Huffman* Sept. 24 Mortimer Jordan Oct. 1 Shades Valley* Oct. 7 @Mountain Brook* Oct. 22 Homewood* Oct. 29 @Corner

*Conference game

briarwood

AT A GLANCE

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)

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

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound junior quarterback Christopher Vizzina, above, already has a bunch of college offers, including several from Power 5 NCAA Division I programs.

Moorer at center. Moorer started at the guard position last year.

The rest of the line will come from a group that includes Harrison Clemmer, Rich Connell, Luke Shultz, Andy Foust, James-Michael

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

The Lions have good depth on the defensive line, beginning with senior end Miller Stubblefield, a three-year starter. “He’s a really good athlete,” Forester said.

Clay Dorrill will man the other defensive end spot, while the tackles will be Holden Patterson and Max Luster. Preston King and Garrett Harmon provide depth.

Linebacker

The linebacking crop will be completely new. “We have three new ones for the first time since 2010,” Forester said. “They have a lot of learning to do, but they’re working hard.”

Senior Haddon Stubbs was moved from safety to linebacker to give the unit some experience at the strong side spot. Senior Grant Bruce will play middle linebacker and senior Hardy Thompson will play weak side linebacker.

Junior Grant Dickinson and sophomore Adyn Barbour are the top reserves.

Secondary

Two seniors are returning to the secondary, Reece Garner and Seth Alford. Both played cornerback last season, but Alford is moving to safety. Others in the mix are Nicolas Frost, Brady Waugh, Grey Reebals and Peyton Steed.

“Our secondary will have a new feel,” Forester said.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Junior Aidan Punch returns as the placekicker, but he’s being pushed by sophomore Reid Hollis. Stubbs returns to handle the punting duties.