The Brownwood Lions will head to the playoffs as the second seed from District 4-4A following Thursday night’s 2-1 victory over Mineral Wells at Gordon Wood Stadium in the home finale.
“We knew what was on the line,” said Lions first-year head coach Michael Westerman. “We were fighting for that second seed and this was a huge game for us. We’re one on one with Mineral Wells, we beat them the first game at home and suffered a loss playing at Mineral Wells. It’s nice to celebrate the seniors with this much on the line and to be able to produce like we did.”
Tied at 1 with 18:06 left, a free kick by Cameron Phipps from about 40 yards out was headed by Luke Moss to a waiting Noah Barron just a few yards in front of the goal, who scored to break the tie.
“Cameron Phipps’ work ethic is through the roof and he gambled on a set piece and was absolutely fearless,” Westerman said. “The keeper came out and he gambled, but we made a good 50-50 ball and we got the better end of it.”
The go-ahead goal came after Mineral Wells drew even at 1 with 3:43 remaining in the first half.
“It was a rough one,” Westerman said. “We’ve conceded goals off set pieces from corners, free kicks and things like that. This was another that slipped through our minds. I thought we did excellent as far taking care of our corners defensively and set pieces, it was just a mental error we slipped up on and they punished us for it.”
The Lions opened the scoring with 25:05 left in the opening half as Caleb Nelson scored on a penalty kick.
“Luke Moss has a big, large frame and we was our target man,” Westerman said. “We threw the ball up to him and got a little shove in the back. He’s dangerous in the box, he’s intimidating and it drew a foul. Then Caleb Nelson just stepped up and took care of business at the PK spot.”
The playoff-bound Lions (7-10-2, 4-4) wrap up the regular season at District 4-4A champion Stephenville at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
