GRIDIRON GLANCE’ 24: Brownwood Lions

August 25, 2024 at 4:51 am Derrick Stuckly

Coming off back-to-back district championships, a pair of playoff runs that lasted past Thanksgiving, and 22 victories over the past two seasons, the Brownwood Lions have re-established themselves as a premiere Class 4A Division I football program in the state of Texas.

As the Lions embark on their seventh season under Sammy Burnett, with a preseason No. 7 ranking in the state by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, the program is right where the head coach hoped it would be when he took the reins at his alma mater in 2018.

“It takes four to five years to build a program, hard work is always going to pay off, but it doesn’t matter if you don’t relay that to the kids, they don’t hear the message and they don’t apply the message,” said Burnett, who owns a 103-58 career coaching record and a 45-26 mark at Brownwood. “All the success we’ve had is something we drempt about when we came and set the wheels in motion in the direction we felt things needed to be, but all the credit goes to the players. They had to learn to create an extremely strong work ethic and have the desire to the bring the program back to the level we feel like it needs to be. We’re right where we wanted to be, that’s a blessing from the good Lord, and a testament to our kids.”

The success of the past provides no guarantees for the future, unfortunately, as the Lions return just six offensive and three defensive starters from last year’s 12-2 Class 4A Division I Region I finalist squad, as the 2024 team looks to blaze its own trail.

Brownwood has tuned up for the 2024 campaign with a pair of scrimmages against 2023 TAPPS Division II state champion Argyle Liberty Christian, as well as 4A Division I No. 22 Alvarado, and Burnett is pleased with the progress the Lions have shown.

“They were both very good scrimmages against talented programs,” Burnett said. “We’re not as big as everybody else so it’s good to get used to playing against bigger kids. Our kids grew through both scrimmages. We had an opportunity from the start of two-a-days through the last scrimmage to have ample time to look at a lot of kids and we’ve made some late roster moves. But we gave ourselves time to really evaluate our kids to make those roster moves. There’s going to be growing pains early, but it comes down to how fast you adapt and adjust and become a technician at what you do and then go out and play as a unit. I feel like our kids will get there for sure because they’re fighters and hard workers.”

Unfortunately, some of the roster moves were out of necessity due to injuries, as the Lions are starting 2024 with more players sidelined than they have in a quite a few years.

“We have been bit by the injury bug, but hopefully that’ll stop and those kids can heal quickly because we need every player on our team,” Burnett said. “Some of the kids injured right now are key spokes in that wheel that we definitely have to have if we want to be successful. Right now we have a broken leg that could be out eight weeks, we have a separated AC joint in the shoulder that could be a five-week lay off. We have some ankles, a knee injury that I don’t know when or if he’ll be back, it just depends on what the kids can play through.”

OFFENSE

On the offensive side of the ball for the Lions, Brownwood is having to replace four of its starting linemen and find a new quarterback after generating 40 points and 397 yards per game in 2023. A veteran receiving corps leads the way among the skill positions, while the backfield has multiple weapons at its disposal this year.

At quarterback, Braeden Stacks (17 of 24 for 251 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT) and move-in Judson Coalson have shared time during the preseason scrimmages, and Burnett expects to make a decision on the season starter prior to Friday’s kickoff against Abilene Wylie.

“Braeden is a senior who has been in the system for a long time and understands the offense,” Burnett said. “Judson is a move-in who’s a phenomenal leader. Both of them have a very good skill set. By the time we play the first game we’ll have declared a starter, and the good thing about it is these guys are good buddies, they’re best friends, they hang out together, they cheer each other on, they want each other and their team to be successful. Whatever role they have to play, they’re willing to do that.”

In the trenches, only Aidan Packheiser returns from last year’s squad, but he’s one of the injured for the Lions as he was hobbled by a knee in the preseason. Anticipated to see time out of the gate are Logan Flores and Isaiah Rosas at the tackle positions, Tristan Stephens and recent JV call-up Aaron Clevenger will man the guards, and Luke Hagood will line up at center.

“We have a couple more kids we’re keeping on the varsity and getting them reps so they get to where we feel they need to be,” Burnett said.

Tight end is a position where the Lions have been hit hardest with injuries as both Weston Wolf (6 catches, 109 yards, TD), with the shoulder, and Aiden Driskill, with the broken leg, are out indefinitely. Ian Barrera has shifted from tackle to tight end, while top returning rusher Levi Pearson could also see time at the position as well.

Again, the most experienced unit on offense is the receivers with Carson Noe (94-772. 7 TDs), Aaron Edmonds (25-341, 3 TDs) and Stone Ratliff (11-205, TD) all returning, while Grant Gray will join the starting mix after an impressive 7-on-7 summer campaign.

“Carson and Grant at the wide outs are good deep ball guys, Aaron and Stone at the slot receivers are more possession guys, getting open in space type receivers with the ability to take the top off it and make big plays,” Burnett said. “We’re going to be a big-play team. We have the potential to get big chunks of yardage in the vertical passing game and we’re going to take advantage of it.”

In the backfield, Pearson (581 rushing yards, 5 TDs; 9-123, TD receiving) is the top returnee, joined by move-in Trey Moseley. Noah Gonzalez, Kaleb Grabast, Case Burnett and Caven Webster could all be sprinkled into the mix from time to time as well.

“With Levi and Trey we feel like we have two guys that can carry the load,” Burnett said. “The other guys are also valid running backs that could find time, but the majority of the load will be carried by Levi and Trey.”

DEFENSE

The Lions gave up just 16 points and 283 yards per game, while forcing 18 turnovers, a year ago, but have even more new faces on that side of the ball.

Along the front line, the aforementioned Weston Wolf (80 tackles, 7 for loss, 6 sacks) is currently out, but fellow returning starter Robert Trowbridge (72 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 sack) is back and will be joined early on by a rotation of Ben Wilson, Ian Barrera and Levi Pearson.

“Robert is a forced to be reckoned with, a returning starter that played nose guard for us and just a phenomenal football player with great character and a lot of toughness that he brings to the table,” Burnett said. “Levi being there may be strange for some people to hear, but Levi is a football player that has to be on the football field and it’s our job to find ways to get him on the field and be productive. I thought he had a phenomenal last scrimmage in some positions he hadn’t played before and he picked it up quickly.”

The entire set of linebackers is new this season, and the coaching staff had multiple options from which to choose. Getting the starting nod for Week 1 will be Enrique Vazquez on the outside, Brinson Martin in the middle, and Jack Field has earned the other spot.

“Brinson is a hard worker, extremely smart kid who’s going to make sure he’s where he’s supposed to be when he’s supposed to be there because he’s going to study, he’s going to understand and he’s going to lead the defense,” Burnett said. “Jack played two years ago and played baseball only last year, but he said he wanted to come back to football and he’s lit a fire on our defense. He was probably at the bottom of the depth chart when we started and he’s come out and proven he’s the guy in every phase.”

The secondary has one starter back in safety Noah Gonzalez (134 tackles, 7 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery), though cornerback Kenyan McDowell (30 tackles, 1 INT) did see some playing time in 2023. New faces starting on the back end include Caven Webster at the nickel, move in Devin Eanes at safety, and cornerback Raven Prado.

“Noah is the cornerstone of our defense,” Burnett said. “He’s got a motor like you wouldn’t believe. High energy, great leader on the field, he gets us set up in the back end and makes sure we’re on the same page and leads by example. He works hard, is always smiling, never complains and holds himself to a high standard.

“Kenyan has developed into phenomenal leader on the field, not so much vocal but more watch me and what I do on the field, and could be a shut-down corner for us. Caven is really fast, can run people down and is an extension of our linebacker corps. Devin has great ball skills and a lot of football savvy, and Raven is really fast, has great fast twitch motor skills and does a great job of covering.”

SPECIAL TEAMS

For the first time in four years, the Lions are looking for a new kicker and punter, and Eli Valenciano and Rory McNeese could both see time at each position.

“We’ve had some tryouts and Eli has gotten hurt and is on the shelf right now, so we moved up Rory McNeese, who was the JV quarterback, but he’s got a phenomenal leg,” Burnett said.

PRE-DISTRICT

Assistant head coach David Jones stated during the summer that the 2024 pre-district schedule was the toughest since he returned to the school with Burnett, and the Lions head coach agreed.

After opening at home with 5A Division II Abilene Wylie, the Lions visit 3A Division II powerhouse Wall, host 4A Division II ranked foes Glen Rose and Waco La Vega in succession, visit recent two-time state champion China Spring which is now in 4A Division II, then face another 4A Division II playoff squad Ingleside in Boerne in a neutral site contest.

Burnett said, “Are we where we need to be right now? No. Do we have the potential to get there? Yes. It’s going to be gauntlet in the preseason. We’re going to play some extremely strong football teams and we’re going to try and go win every one of those football games. We’re going to play with great tenacity, be physical, fly around and do it with great class and character. If that results in wins it does, if it doesn’t we’ll figure out what’s going on and fix it so when we get to district we have a great chance to be three-time district champions and then move into the playoffs with an opportunity to make a deep run. That is our goal.”

DISTRICT 4-4A DIVISION I

Though the Lions enter the season ranked in the Top 10 in the preseason, they aren’t district favorites, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. Top-ranked Stephenville is tabbed to claim the title, while Lampasas and Burnet – both playoff teams a year ago with 17 wins between them – join the league, as does Marble Falls.

Brownwood opens district play at Lampasas, the bye week follows, then the Lions host Burnet, travel to Stephenville for the 84th “Battle of 377” and wrap up the regular season at Gordon Wood Stadium against Marble Falls.

“Lampasas had a great season last year and returns a lot of starters, they’re going to be a very good football team,” Burnett said. “Then we play Burnet and one thing about Brownwood and Burnet is it’s always a close ball game every year. Then we lock horns with Stephenville and hopefully that will be for a district championship. Then we finish with Marble Falls, which has a new coaching staff, new offense and new defense, but we definitely aren’t counting them out.

“We better bring our ‘A’ game because every week is a worthy opponent. These are games where three or four plays probably determine the difference. Iron sharpens iron and to get to where we need to be for district, that’s why we’re playing the toughest pre-district schedule we can.”

REGION I-4A DIVISION I

Should the Lions advance to the playoffs for the 51st time in school history, many of the same playoff foes from the last two years await in Class 4A Division I’s Region I.

“I think Region I will be stronger than it was last year even though we lost Decatur and Springtown,” Burnett said. “Of course we add Stephenville, Lampasas and Burnet, but you look at a Canyon team that’s going to be strong coming off a good season, Randall is losing one on offense and two on defense and I think they’ll cause problems for people. West Plains is new and predicted to be up there but they lost a lot of returners. Andrews will be stronger in the second year in their slot-T, so they’ll be evolved in that and give people some fits as well.”

KEY TO SUCCESS

Regarding how good the 2024 Lions can be, and what it will take for them to reach that point, Burnett said, “They can be as good as they want to be. How do you reach your potential? Work extremely hard, never be satisfied with where you’re at, and respect the program enough that you leave it all on the line. Give everything that you’ve got, when you leave the field you leave exhausted knowing you did the best that you can do. Take the gifts that the good Lord has given you and maximize them to the fullest, and at the same time do everything that you do in a way that’s pleasing to the Lord. Why should we be rewarded if we’re not living our life right? And we have to stay injury free.”

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BROWNWOOD LIONS 2024 SCHEDULE

Aug. 30	Abilene Wylie	7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6	at Wall	7 p.m.
Sept. 13	Glen Rose	7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20	Waco La Vega	7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27	at China Spring	7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4	Ingleside (at Boerne)	7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11	at Lampasas*	7:30 p.m.
Oct. 18	OPEN
Oct. 25	Burnet*#	7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1	at Stephenville*	7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8	Marble Falls	7:30 p.m.