Lions look to build off first victory as they visit 4A DII No. 5 La Vega

September 18, 2025 at 6:30 am Derrick Stuckly

Trent Buffington (25), who rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown against Glen Rose, and the Brownwood (1-2) offense averages 15 points and 197 yards per game through the first three outings

After withstanding a late charge from Glen Rose and surviving a tumultuous fourth quarter for their first victory of the season last week, the Brownwood Lions will attempt to even their 2025 record against potentially their toughest foe to date – the Class 4A Division II No. 5 Waco La Vega Pirates.

Kickoff between the Lions (1-2) and Pirates (2-1) is slated for 7 p.m. Friday night.

Reflecting on the Lions’ 34-28 victory at Glen Rose last week, Lions first-year head coach Jeryl Brixey said, “All in all, it was a hard-fought win. We made it a heck of a lot harder than it needed to be, but it’s a learning experience. And it’s always better to learn while still winning one like that than losing. The lesson the kids learned was they could lose a game with a 20-point lead, but not have to lose it to do it. That’s a huge positive.”

La Vega – which advanced to the 4A Division II state championship game in 2024 – owns victories over West Orange-Stark (44-20) and Kennedale (41-3), with its lone loss against reigning Class 4A Division I state champion Celina (36-6).

“They’re very talented and they’re a good football program historically,” Brixey said. “I’m excited to see where we’re at right now coming off this last week and the first three weeks of the season we’ve had. We’re going to play a really good football team and see exactly where we’re at, but I told the kids we’re going to work hard this week and we’re going to roll into that stadium expecting to win. That’s my expectation, and I feel like if we’re able to play the game we’re capable of playing, then we have everything we need to get that done. But we are going to have to play better.”

The Pirates are producing 30 points and 322 yards – 176 passing and 146 rushing – per game, having eclipsed 40 points in both of their victories.

Leading the La Vega offense are quarterback Kourtney Parr (38 of 68 for 529 yards, 6 TDs, 5 INTs; 80 rushing yards, TD) and receivers Jabarie Thornton (12-152, 2 TDs), Jemarcus Daniel (8-134, 2 TDs), and Qwae Willis (4-112, 2 TDs). Multiple running backs have seen action thus far including Jourden Walker (108 rushing yards), Elbert Jones (97 rushing yards, TD), and Ben Thompson (77 rushing yards, TD).

Defensively, the Lions forced a four turnovers a week ago, scoring on a fumble recovery and interception return, to give them five takeaways for the season. On the year, Brownwood yields 29 points and 282 yards – 161 passing and 121 rushing – per outing.

Leading the charge defensively are Caven Webster (27 tackles, 1 interception), Brinson Martin, (19 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery), Durham Brown (19 tackles, 1 sack), Isaac Gonzales (15 tackles, 1 for loss, 2 sacks), Christian Gray (14.5 tackles, 1.5 sacks), Sirr Beam (11.5 tackles, 1 interception), Nick Rodriguez (11 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 interception), and Wyatt Wolf (10.5 tackles, 1 interception).

“They’re fast and athletic have some big, strong kids, and we’re going to have to do a good job of not giving up the big play because they like to stretch you deep,” Brixey said. “We’re going to have to do a good job of not giving up the big play and make them string drives together.”

Defensively, the Pirates are surrendering 20 points per game on average with three takeaways and a pair of sacks. Standouts include Ge’unte Thomas (16 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 sacks), Willis (15 tackles, 1 fumble recovery), Caden Roland (14 tackles, 1 interception), Craig Bradley (12 tackles), Jayce Wiley (9 tackles), and Aaden Tasby (9 tackles). Deadrick Stuart has also intercepted a pass to go along with four tackles.

Meanwhile, the Lions are coming off their best offensive outing of the season – 328 yards and three touchdowns – as they enter the contest averaging 15 points and 197 yards – 106 through the air and 90 in the ground – with nine turnovers.

Behind the front line of Aidan Packheiser, Jackson Rainey, Gustavo Gonzalez, Avuid Gomez, and Rylan Martin, quarterback Judson Coalson has connected on 25 of 44 passes for 319 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions, while leading receivers include Carson Noe (11-177, TD), Connor Cornelius (4-38, 2 TDs), Robbie Robinson (4-25), and Raven Prado (3-43). Leading rushers thus far are Levi Pearson (164 rushing yards) and Trent Buffington (90 rushing yards, TD).

“We’re not going to big-play them to death,” Brixey said. “We’re going to have to string drives together, have 4, 5 or 6 yard plays and not have negative yardage plays. It’s going to be hard rock mining for us. We’re going to swing that sledgehammer and pound that concrete and keep going after it.”

Regarding areas where Brixey most wants to see the Lions improve in Week 4, he said, “We took a step back in penalties last week, we have to get back to where we were in that regard, and we have to eliminate turnovers, those are killers. But the things I want to see most are eliminate penalties, eliminate turnovers and take another step forward in getting a body on a body with our blocking and start to assert ourselves in the running game.”

According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, Brownwood is a 33-point underdog. Harris Ratings Weekly lists the Lions as 24-point underdogs.

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Brownwood Lions 2025 Football Season Stats

Through 3 Games (1-2)

TEAM OFFENSE

14.7 points per game (44)

196.6 yards per game (590)

90.3 rushing yards per game (271)

106.3 passing yards per game (319)

PASSING

* Judson Coalson

25 of 44 for 319 yards, 3 TDs, 5 INTs

* Levi Pearson

0 of 1 for 0 yards, 1 INT

RUSHING

* Levi Pearson

164 yards on 59 carries

* Trent Buffington

90 yards on 13 carries, 1 TD

* Robbie Robinson

24 yards on 7 carries

* Judson Coalson

18 yards on 15 carries

* Daylyn Ansons

3 yards on 1 carry

* TEAM

-28 yards on 3 carries

RECEIVING

* Carson Noe

11 catches, 177 yards, 1 TD

* Connor Cornelius

4 catches, 38 yards, 2 TDs

* Robbie Robinson

4 catches, 25 yards

* Raven Prado

3 catches, 43 yards

* Wyatt Wolf

1 catch, 22 yards

* Levi Pearson

1 catch, 11 yards

* Daylyn Ansons

1 catch, 3 yards

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TEAM DEFENSE

29.3 points per game (88)

282.6 yards per game (848)

121.3 rushing yards per game (364)

161.3 passing yards per game (484)

TACKLES

* Caven Webster

27 tackles, 1 interception

* Brinson Martin

19 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery

* Durham Brown

19 tackles, 1 sack

* Isaac Gonzales

15 tackles, 1 for loss, 2 sacks

* Christian Gray

14.5 tackles, 1.5 sacks

* Sirr Beam

11.5 tackles, 1 interception

* Nick Rodriguez

11 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 interception

* Wyatt Wolf

10.5 tackles, 1 interception

* Finn Hull

7.5 tackles

* Raul Eberhardt

6.5 tackles

* Raven Prado

5 tackles, 1 punt block

* Aiden Jimenez

2.5 tackles

* Levi Pearson

1.5 tackles

* Robbie Robinson

1 tackle

* Carson Noe

1 tackle

* Trent Buffington

1 tackle

* Eli Valenciano

1 tackle

* Maddox Mendoza

0.5 tackles

* Ke’Shaun White

0.5 tackles

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KICKING

Eli Valenciano

1 of 2 FGs – long of 26

5 of 6 PATs

8 points

11 punts, 371 yards, 33.7 average – long of 46; 3 inside opponents’ 20

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TURNOVER MARGIN (-4)

* Brownwood: 9 (6 interceptions, 3 fumbles)

* Opponents: 5 (4 interceptions, 1 fumble)

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PENALTIES

* Brownwood: 17 for 141 yards (5.7 for 47.0 per game)

* Opponents: 19 for 156 yards (6.3 for 52.0 per game)