For the 83rd time, the Brownwood Lions and Stephenville Yellow Jackets will clash in ‘The Battle of 377,’ which serves as the final pre-district contest for both teams and marks a rare showdown with each squad ranked in the Top 10.

Kickoff between the No. 7 Lions (5-0) and the No. 9 Yellow Jackets (3-2), according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football latest Class 4A Division I rankings, is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Gordon Wood Stadium.

“It’s going to be a big game,” said Lions sixth-year head coach Sammy Burnett. “I’ve heard from every media outlet around wanting to get in, and Harris has picked it to be the 4A game of the week, so it’s going to be fun. It’s a great rivalry and it’s been healthy for us. It’s important that Brownwood and Stephenville play, it brings a lot of excitement to both communities.”

Last year’s meeting also featured a pair of ranked teams as Stephenville entered the contest at No. 1 in the state while Brownwood was No. 5. The game was even in every quarter by the third, where turnovers plagued Brownwood and led to a 42-21 victory for Stephenville – its third straight in the series.

“The last three times we faced them we weren’t successful and we feel like a lot of that has to do with the things that we did,” Burnett said. “We’ve worked this week on being able to make sure we understand the game plan thoroughly so we can play fast and fix some of the mistakes we’ve made in the past, and this year, with tackling and alignment being some of those things.

“Last year they came out and played a pretty perfect game and we came out in the third quarter and turned the ball over twice and gave them opportunities to score and they took advantage of it. We also had a kickoff return for a touchdown that was called back, and those were all tide turners. Stephenville did what they were supposed to do and we didn’t hold up our end and they were victorious for it. It’s going to be another slobber knocker Friday night.”

The last time Brownwood carried an undefeated record into ‘The Battle of 377’ was 2019, where the Lions picked up a 38-22 victory at Stephenville. The Lions lead the all-time series 47-33-2.

Stephenville has dropped a couple of contests already this season as its schedule has featured mostly Class 5A Division II playoff teams from a year ago. The Yellow Jackets own victories over Everman (14-7), Decatur (56-55), and Wichita Falls Rider (21-20), with losses to Midlothian Heritage (31-28) and Abilene Wylie (42-32).

“You look at their scores and they may not be winning big, but they’re winning,” Burnett said. “A win is a win, it doesn’t matter if you in by 100 or by one. They play for four quarters, they’re going to play to the last play of the game and they’re never going to surrender, and we’re the same. It’s going to boil down to who goes out there and executes, doesn’t get behind the chains with penalties, doesn’t turn the ball over, doesn’t give up big plays and wins the special teams game. That’s who’s going to win Friday night.”

Stephenville enters the contest averaging 30.2 points and 432 yards – 271 passing and 161 rushing – per game, with eight turnovers – four fumbles and four interceptions.

Quarterback Ryan Gafford has completed 75 of 138 passes for 1,315 yards with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions, while rushing for 188 yards and three scores. Leading receivers include recent Texas Tech commit Tristian Gentry (37-748, 8 TDs) and Noah Bullion (17-349, 4 TDs), while the ground game is anchored by Tate Maruska (561 yards, 3 TDs; 8-115, TD receiving).

“They have some dynamic players,” Burnett said. “Tristian Gentry is a very fast, very quick wide out and they get to the ball to him a lot, a lot like Braden Regala from Wylie. We have to control him. Noah Bullion is the wideout on the other side and those are their best two receivers and they’ll work to get the ball to them. Their quarterback, Ryan Gafford, does a phenomenal job and he’s very calm. They have a big offensive line that does a good job of protecting. Tate Maruska is the running back for them and has been since he was a sophomore. He’s a very strong, very physical power back that can run. We’ll try and take away one of the elements of their offense and make them use the other.”

Brownwood counters with a defense that surrenders 20 points and 313 yards – 175 passing and 138 rushing – per outing, with six takeaways.

Standouts include Sam Kallman (67 tackles, 6 for loss, 3 sacks), Steve Ramirez (58 tackles, 1 INT), Jake Jetton (56 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT), Noah Gonzalez (50 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 sack), Zakk Zabecki (26 tackles, 2 for loss), Weston Wolf (25 tackles, 2 for loss, 2 sacks), Robert Trowbridge (22 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack), Jaylan Brown (21 tackles, 1 for loss), Quinten McCarty (19 tackles, 3 sacks), Hayden Noe (19 tackles, 1 INT), and Jordyn Nickerson (19 tackles).

“Defensively, we have to make them earn what they get and not give up the big play,” Burnett said. “In the past we’ve gotten beat over the top on a post route or a simple fade route and blown the coverage and gave up an easy touchdown, or they’ve thrown a screen and we’ll miss a tackle and they’ll take it to the house and we can’t afford to do that. We have to confuse them in terms of what we’re trying to do and try and put pressure on the quarterback and not let them pick us apart.”

On the flip side of the ball, behind the play of linemen Quinten McCarty, Cole Miller, Davis Le, Aidan Packheiser and Logan Knight the Lions are generating 38 points and 393 yards – 205 on the ground and 188 through the air – per contest, with five turnovers.

Quarterback Ike Hall has connected on 39 of 78 passes for 788 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for a team-best 550 yards and eight scores. Jaylan Brown has chipped in 297 yards and five touchdowns rushing while Levi Pearson has contributed 115 rushing yards with a trip to the end zone. Top receiving threats include Carson Noe (18-202, TD), Aaron Edmonds (11-169, TD), Morsello Hooker (5-175, 4 TDs), Hayden Noe (5-129, TD), Weston Wolf (5-88, TD), and Stone Ratliff (4-99, TD).

Stephenville is giving up 30.8 points per game with eight takeaways, including seven on interceptions, with seven sacks.

The Yellow Jackets defense is led by Hudson Butchee (67 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack), Hyson Foreman (46 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 INTs, 1 FR), Wesley Griffin (37 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 sack), Briar Floyd (36 tackles, 1 for loss, 2 INTs), Rowdy Markland (35 tackles, 1 for loss), and Brighton DeVivo (30 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack).

“They’re very strong up front, their D-line is their strength,” Burnett said. “Offensively, we need to control the football. We have to dictate what we do, that’s very important. We also have to win the special teams game. We’ve seen all year how important that is, and they always have a good special teams crew.”

Regardless of the outcome of Friday’s contest, the heart of the Lions’ schedule arrives next week with the start of District 2-4A Division I action as Brownwood seeks to defend its league crown.

“Our No. 1 goal Friday night is to be healthy when we come out of this,” Burnett said. “We can’t afford to lose anymore players. We kick off our district schedule next week when have to travel to Big Spring so we’ll have to ready for that. But right now, our focus is on becoming elite and playing as an elite team and we have an elite team coming into town so we’ll be able to test our measures. This will be a great opportunity to see where we’re at.”

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, the game is a toss up.

***

Brownwood Lions 2023 Football Season Stats

Through 5 Games (5-0)

TEAM OFFENSE

38.4 points per game (192)

392.8 yards per game (1,964)

205.2 rushing yards per game (1,026)

187.6 passing yards per game (938)

55.3 completion percentage (52 of 94)

PASSING

* Ike Hall

39 of 78 for 788 yards, 6 TDs, 2 INTs

* Braeden Stacks

13 of 16 for 150 yards, 3 TDs

RUSHING

* Ike Hall

550 yards on 56 carries, 8 TDs

* Jaylan Brown

297 yards on 54 carries, 5 TDs

* Levi Pearson

115 yards on 36 carries, TD

* Braeden Stacks

43 yards on 9 carries, TD

* Case Burnett

27 yards on 7 carries

* Logan McKibben

12 yards on 4 carries

* Noah Gonzalez

8 yards on 1 carry, TD

* Aaron Edmonds

-2 yards on 1 carry

* TEAM

-4 yards on 1 carry

RECEIVING

* Carson Noe

18 catches, 202 yards, TD

* Aaron Edmonds

11 catches, 169 yards, TD

* Morsello Hooker

5 catches, 175 yards, 4 TDs

* Hayden Noe

5 catches, 129 yards, TD

* Weston Wolf

5 catches, 88 yards, TD

* Stone Ratliff

4 catches for 99 yards, TD

* Xavier Zepeda

2 catches, 34 yards

* Levi Pearson

2 catches, 30 yards

* Jaylan Brown

1 catch, 11 yards

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TEAM DEFENSE

20.0 points per game (100)

313.6 yards per game (1,568)

138.2 rushing yards per game (691)

175.4 passing yards per game (877)

62.4 opponents completion percentage (73 of 117)

TACKLES

* Sam Kallman

67 tackles, 6 for loss, 3 sacks

* Steve Ramirez

58 tackles, 1 INT

* Jake Jetton

56 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT

* Noah Gonzalez

50 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 sack

* Zakk Zabecki

26 tackles, 2 for loss

* Weston Wolf

25 tackles, 2 for loss, 2 sacks

* Robert Trowbridge

22 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack

* Jaylan Brown

21 tackles, 1 for loss

* Quinten McCarty

19 tackles, 3 sacks

* Hayden Noe

19 tackles, 1 INT

* Jordyn Nickerson

19 tackles

* Julius Lara

13 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 for loss

* Morsello Hooker

16 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 INT

* Kenyan McDowell

16 tackles, 1 INT

* Cole Miller

12 tackles

* Isaiah Rosas

5 tackles

* Gray Stewardson

4 tackles, 1 sack

* Ricky Vasquez

4 tackles

* Jamaria Harmon

3 tackles, 1 for loss

* Case Burnett

2 tackles

* Yovani Figueroa

2 tackles

* Davis Le

1 tackle

* Xavier Zepeda

1 tackle

* Tyler Beal

1 tackle

###

KICKING

* Junior Martinez

5 of 6 FGs – long of 52, missed from 44

25 of 25 PATs

40 points

16 punts, 626 yards, 39.1 average – long of 52; 2 inside opponents’ 5

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TURNOVER MARGIN (+1)

* Brownwood: 5 (3 fumbles, 2 interceptions)

* Opponents: 6 (1 fumble, 5 interceptions)

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PENALTIES

* Brownwood: 34 for 303 yards (6.8 for 60.6 per game)

* Opponents: 33 for 257 yards (6.6 for 51.4 per game)