The Brownwood JV Lions turned away a two-point conversion with 1:22 remaining to preserve their undefeated record with a 13-12 home victory over Waco Connally Thursday night at Gordon Wood Stadium.

The Lions jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on a touchdown pass from Braeden Stacks to Ross Strasner.

Connally pulled even at 6 early in the third period, but the Lions immediately answered with a scoring drive that ended with a touchdown toss from Stacks to Kenyan McDowell for a 13-6 edge.

Connally then marched the length of the field scored with just under 90 seconds left, but were unable to take the lead on the two-point try.

The Lions (5-0) recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock for the win.

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Connally 22, Freshman Lions 14

The Brownwood Freshman Lions grabbed a 14-6 halftime lead, but were unable to generate points in the second half and struggled trying to bring down an elusive Connally quarterback in suffering their first setback of 2022.

The Lions (4-1) scored first on a 1-yard touchdown carry from Robbie Robinson. Eliuth Valenciano chipped in the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Connally closed the gap to 7-6 just before halftime, but the Lions started the second half with a 20-yard touchdown run by Robinson. Valenciano booted another PAT to boost the advantage to 14-6 early in the third period.

Connally knotted the score at 14, then marched 96 yards in 13 plays, converting two fourth downs along the way, for the decisive score.

Brownwood’s final drive reached the Connally 25 before it stalled.

Defensive standouts included Reese Bishop (9 tackles), Robinson (6 tackles, TFL), Raven Prado (4 tackles, INT), Aiden Driskill (4 tackles) and Carson Noe (4 tackles).

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Combined Team 30, Belton 6

BELTON – The Brownwood Lions Combined Team improved to 4-1 with a convincing 30-6 victory at Class 5A Division II Belton Thursday night.

Brownwood quarterback Dallas Shumaker threw for a touchdown pass and rushed for another score. Caven Webster caught the touchdown pass and returned a kickoff for a score as well. Neveah Menefield tacked on a rushing touchdown to the Lions’ tally.

Defensive standouts included Webster, Menefield, Jonathan Bush, Trevor Wallace, and Darrell Franklin.

The three subvarsity teams are a combined 13-2 through five weeks, with games against Stephenville set for next week.

More Thursday night photos at PHOTOS: JV, Freshman Lions split with Waco Connally | Brownwood News