The Brownwood Lions will attempt to build off last week’s homecoming victory in their pre-district finale, and spoil the Abilene Wylie Bulldogs’ homecoming in the process, as the two squads square off at 7 p.m. Friday at Hugh Sandifer Stadium.

The Lions (2-2) overcame a slow start to knock off Burnet, 31-26, last week, while Wylie (1-3) was hammered by Brownwood’s District 5-4A Division I rival Stephenville, 37-7.

The Bulldogs’ lone win thus far has come against Lubbock Monterey (30-22) in Week 2, with other losses to Burleson (42-3) and Abilene Cooper (30-24). But Lions fourth-year head coach Sammy Burnett knows the Lions will have their hands full against the Class 5A Division II foe.

“They’re a big football team, they have great numbers and they’re starting to look like a 5A program,” Burnett said. “They’ll send a fresh 11 out there on offense, defense and special teams.”

Behind the line of Ethan Pesina, Alex Reyna, Brandon Still, Slayde Espinoza, Damian Sanchez and Riley Soto, Brownwood heads into the contest averaging 32.5 points and 401 yards – 279 rushing and 122 passing – per game, and the Lions have not committed a turnover in their last two outings.

Konlyn Anderson is averaging 206 rushing yards per game and has tallied 823 yards and six touchdowns on 121 carries. Quarterback Chance Jones has chipped in 179 yards and three scores and Jaylan Brown has tacked on 121 yards.

Through the air, Jones has connected on 39 of 89 passes with six touchdowns, as leading receivers include Jason Jackson (15-234, 3 TDs), Elias Huerta-Doud (11-137, TD) and Thad Hinds (5-68, 2 TDs).

Wylie counters with a defense that is allowing 33 points per game. In last week’s loss to Stephenville, the Bulldogs yielded 590 yards – 458 passing with five scoring tosses, and 132 rushing.

“We’re going to do our best to wear down their defensive line and those linebackers,” Burnett said. “They’re extremely big and led by X’Zavier Collins, a big kid that’s very strong, and Cameron Vann is 6-6, 340 pounds and plays right in the middle. I think overall we have better team speed so we’re going to try to pound them offensively. We’ll try and wear them down the best we can, and be in the game in the third and fourth quarter with a chance to win.”

On the flip side of the ball, the Lions have surrendered 39 points and 441 yards – 252 rushing and 189 passing – per outing, but have forced eight turnovers.

Standouts include Dryden Anderson (39 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 FR), Brown (31 tackles, 2.5 for loss, 1 FR), Quentin Thompson (30 tackles), Noah Barron (25 tackles), Jordan Leach (23 tackles, 0.5, 1 FR, 1 INT), Owen Huntsinger (22 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 INT), Brandon Holland (19 tackles, 0.5 sacks), Case Markham (18 tackles), Quinten McCarty (16 tackles, 3.5 for loss), Cole Miller (15 tackles, 0.5 for loss, 1 INT ), Azariah Dillard (9 tackles, 0.5 for loss, 1 FR) and Huerta-Doud (9 tackles, 1 FR).

Wylie is averaging 16 points per game thus far led by quarterback Aiden Kincaid, who has completed 47 of 91 passes for 553 yards with three touchdowns; receivers Harrison Heighten (15-161) and J.T. Thompson (14-145, TD); and running backs Josh Carpenter (240 yards, 4 TDs) and Trey Gomez (221 yards, TD).

“Their quarterback is a good operator of the offense, throws the ball well and puts it where he needs to,” Burnett said. “He has a lot of time to throw because he has a big offensive line to protect. This is probably the biggest team we’ve played all year. Their running back is a big kid as well and they have a couple of burner guys. When they want to throw the ball and need a go-to play, they go to Heighten.

“We just need to compete, go do what we do, and if we play hard and play with passion and don’t make mistakes we’ll be in the ball game.”

As for the Lions’ roster, Case Markham and Zaiden Lopez will be back this week, while Brandon Holland, Noah Barron, and Roan Aguinaga are expected to miss the contest. Chris Robinson has been called up from JV, joining Morsello Hooker who was a late addition to the varsity roster last week.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Brownwood is a 10-point underdog.

“We always like when someone doubts us and we’re picked to be the underdogs,” Burnett said.

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Brownwood Lions Football 2021 Season Stats
Through 4 Games (2-2)

TEAM OFFENSE
32.5 points per game (130)
401.2 yards per game (1,605)
279.0 rushing yards per game (1,116)
122.2 passing yards per game (489)

PASSING

‒ Chance Jones
39 of 89 for 489 yards, 6 TDs

RUSHING
‒ Konlyn Anderson
823 yards on 121 carries, 6 TDs

‒ Chance Jones
179 yards on 35 carries, 3 TDs

‒ Jaylan Brown
121 yards on 16 carries

‒ Grant Hennington
2 yards on 1 carry

RECEIVING
‒ Jason Jackson
15 catches for 234 yards, 3 TDs

‒ Elias Huerta-Doud
11 catches for 137 yards, TD

‒ Thad Hinds
5 catches for 68 yards, 2 TDs

‒ Konlyn Anderson
3 catches for 18 yards

‒ Brayden Daub
2 catches for 19 yards

‒ Taylor Bessent
2 catches for 9 yards

‒ Case Markham
1 catch for 4 yards

***

TEAM DEFENSE
39.7 points per game (159)
441.2 yards per game (1,765)
251.7 rushing yards per game (1,007)
189.5 passing yards per game (758)

TACKLES
‒ Dryden Anderson
39 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 FR

‒ Jaylan Brown
31 tackles, 2.5 for loss, 1 FR

‒ Quentin Thompson
30 tackles

‒ Noah Barron
25 tackles

‒ Jordan Leach
23 tackles, 0.5, 1 FR, 1 INT

‒ Owen Huntsinger
22 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 INT

‒ Brandon Holland

19 tackles, 0.5 sacks

‒ Case Markham
18 tackles

‒ Quinten McCarty
16 tackles, 3.5 for loss

‒ Cole Miller
15 tackles, 0.5 for loss, 1 INT

‒ Azariah Dillard
9 tackles, 0.5 for loss, 1 FR

‒ Elias Huerta-Doud

9 tackles, 1 FR

‒ Zaiden Lopez
8 tackles

‒ Ethan Pesina
7 tackles, 0.5 for loss

‒ Christian Chambers
7 tackles

‒ Taylor Bessent
4 tackles

‒ Morsello Hooker
4 tackles

‒ Jason Jackson
3 tackles

‒ Uriah King
3 tackles

‒ Brayden Daub
2 tackles

‒ Slayde Espinoza
1 tackle, 1 for loss

***

TURNOVER MARGIN: (+3)
Brownwood 5 — 5 fumbles
Opponents 8 — 5 fumbles, 3 INTs

***

PENALTIES

37 penalties for 330 yards

(9.25 flags for 82.5 yards per game)