“This is a big ball game for us and we’re excited about the opportunity,” Burnett said. “It gives us a possibility to get in position to be second, third, fourth (in district), right in there. A win would almost solidify that we’re in the playoffs and there wouldn’t be any bigger for us than beating La Vega. They’ve been real strong the last four years and they’re still strong, but we feel like we have the ability to play with them.”
La Vega (3-3, 0-1) is coming off a 35-7 loss to undefeated Stephenville in the district opener, as the Pirates gave up 457 yards – 272 passing and two touchdowns along with 185 yards rushing and three scores. La Vega finished with 191 yards – 121 rushing and 70 passing – and committed two turnovers.
Mekhi Rice caught a 34-yard touchdown from Robert Prescott for the Pirates’ lone score after falling behind 28-0. Prescott did throw a pair of interceptions in the first half.
La Vega’s last victory was a 48-14 triumph over Corpus Christi Miller in its pre-district finale. In that outing, Rice caught another touchdown pass while players scoring on the ground were freshman Bryson Roland (70 yards), Nikzayver Rice (33 yards), and Brandon Allen. Defensively, the Pirates intercepted five passes and forced a fumble.
The Pirates also own wins over Katy Jordan (51-21) and Dallas Bishop Dunne (65-0), with their other losses coming to Austin LBJ (28-7) and Argyle (17-14) – a game in which Stephon Nickerson scored on an 81-yard pass from Prescott and Mehki Rice returned a kick 98 yards for a score.
“Offensively, they’re still big up front, they still run the zone, they still run the counter and they’re going to run it to death,” Burnett said. “They’ll take 3 or 4 yards a pop and then they’ll bust one for 60. We’re going to try and get them in third and long situations and have them punt the ball. We can’t give them the big play. Last week against Heritage (43-25 loss) we played really good defense but has several situations where we’re trying to get off the field and they bust a big play. Five scoring plays over 30 yards was the difference in the game. We have to make them drive the field and put them in situations where they have to go for it on fourth down, and we stopped two of those opportunities last week.
“Defensively, they used to be in an even front and this year they’ve gone to more of an odd front, 3-3 stack, 3-2 with man, man free coverage and I think they’re doing that because the skill set for them is they have a lot of speedy linebackers and not as many guys who can put their hand in the dirt. Their defense is still good, but if you’re comparing them to last year it’s just a different style. They still fly around, they’re fast and they’re physical. With a three man front I think we’ll be able to run the football. If we can get some 5 to 6-yard chunks and keep the chains moving, control the clock, and keep the ball out of their hands we’ll have a chance to win it late.”
The Lions (2-4, 0-1) enter the contest averaging 29 points and 376 yards per game – 255.5 rushing and 120.5 passing – behind the blocking of Ethan Pesina, Slayde Espinoza, Alex Reyna, Brandon Still, and Damian Sanchez.
Konlyn Anderson has eclipsed 1,000 yards on the ground with 1,091 yards and eight touchdowns on 174 carries, while quarterback Chance Jones has chipped in 293 yards and four scores while passing for 723 yards and 10 touchdowns with just one interception. Receiving leaders include Jason Jackson (27-400, 7 TDs), Elias Huerta-Doud (15-171, TD), Thad Hinds (8-84, 2 TDs), and Anderson (6-38).
Defensively, the Lions allow 42 points and 461 yards – 264 on the ground and 197 through the air – per outing, with 10 takeaways.
Standouts include Dryden Anderson (59 tackles, 4.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 FR), Quentin Thompson (50 tackles), Jaylan Brown (47 tackles, 2.5 for loss, 1 FR), Jordan Leach (32 tackles, 0.5, 1 FR, 1 INT), Owen Huntsinger (29 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 INT), Quinten McCarty (28 tackles, 4.5 for loss), Brandon Holland (24 tackles, 1 for loss, 0.5 sacks), and Cole Miller (20 tackles, 0.5 for loss, 1 INT).
“If we can play the way we did Friday night, play as a team, play with passion and cut down the mistakes on offense that put us behind the chains and stop giving up the big play on defense, if we can do that we’ll have a chance to be in the ball game late,” Burnett said. “And the closer we are in the ball game late the more belief you have.”
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Brownwood is a 9-point underdog.
***
Brownwood Lions Football 2021 Season Stats
Through 6 Games (2-4, 0-1)
TEAM OFFENSE
29.3 points per game (176)
376.0 yards per game (2,256)
255.5 rushing yards per game (1,533)
120.5 passing yards per game (723)
PASSING
‒ Chance Jones
61 of 128 for 723 yards, 10 TDs, 1 INT
RUSHING
‒ Konlyn Anderson
1,091 yards on 174 carries, 8 TDs
‒ Chance Jones
293 yards on 68 carries, 4 TDs
‒ Jaylan Brown
154 yards on 24 carries
‒ Jason Jackson
2 yards on 1 carry
‒ Grant Hennington
2 yards on 1 carry
RECEIVING
‒ Jason Jackson
27 catches for 400 yards, 7 TDs
‒ Elias Huerta-Doud
15 catches for 171 yards, TD
‒ Thad Hinds
8 catches for 84 yards, 2 TDs
‒ Konlyn Anderson
6 catches for 38 yards
‒ Brayden Daub
2 catches for 19 yards
‒ Taylor Bessent
2 catches for 9 yards
‒ Case Markham
1 catch for 4 yards
***
TEAM DEFENSE
41.8 points per game (251)
461.5 yards per game (2,769)
264.5 rushing yards per game (1,587)
197.0 passing yards per game (1,182)
TACKLES
‒ Dryden Anderson
59 tackles, 4.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 FR
‒ Quentin Thompson
50 tackles
‒ Jaylan Brown
47 tackles, 2.5 for loss, 1 FR
‒ Jordan Leach
32 tackles, 0.5, 1 FR, 1 INT
‒ Owen Huntsinger
29 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 INT
‒ Quinten McCarty
28 tackles, 4.5 for loss
‒ Noah Barron
25 tackles, 0.5 for loss
‒ Brandon Holland
24 tackles, 1 for loss, 0.5 sacks
‒ Case Markham
21 tackles
‒ Cole Miller
20 tackles, 0.5 for loss, 1 INT
‒ Azariah Dillard
17 tackles, 0.5 for loss, 1 FR
‒ Ethan Pesina
14 tackles, 1.5 for loss, 1 sack, 1 FR
‒ Jason Jackson
13 tackles
‒ Zaiden Lopez
13 tackles
‒ Elias Huerta-Doud
11 tackles, 1 FR
‒ Christian Chambers
9 tackles
‒ Taylor Bessent
8 tackles
‒ Thad Hinds
5 tackles, 1 for loss
‒ Morsello Hooker
5 tackles
‒ Brayden Daub
3 tackles, 1 FR
‒ Chris Robinson
3 tackles
‒ Uriah King
3 tackles
‒ Slayde Espinoza
1 tackle, 1 for loss
‒ Jakson Yoder
1 tackle
‒ Tobey Yeats
1 tackle
‒ Konlyn Anderson
1 tackle
***
TURNOVER MARGIN: (+3)
Brownwood 7 — 6 fumbles, 1 INT
Opponents 10 — 7 fumbles, 3 INTs
***
PENALTIES
47 penalties for 420 yards
(7.8 flags for 70 yards per game)