The state-bound Brownwood Lions bounced back from an abysmal, winless performance at the Burnet 7-on-7 qualifier last weekend by winning two of three games – and it was a near sweep – on the turf of Gordon Wood Stadium Saturday.
The Lions, who qualified for their 22nd straight 7-on-7 Division II state tournament on May 21 at the Ponder qualifier, defeated Burnet (20-18) and Wichita Falls (21-19) during the Brownwood qualifier with a lone loss to Jim Ned (14-13) – which was decided on the final play.
“I thought we came out and decided to play today,” said Lions head football coach Sammy Burnett, who observed Saturday’s action. “When we very first got here it looked like to me that they were ready to play, and some of the other coaches made that comment. Offensively we tapped out at 21 today and we need to get back in the 30s like we were against Graham that first game, that’s what I expect. Our defense played well again. Holding teams to two scores in 7-on-7 is a big deal.”
Against Jim Ned, a Lions pass was picked off in the end zone on the final snap of the game, and the Indian defender appeared to be tagged down on the 2 yard line. However, the officials ruled the Jim Ned player was never touched, and he returned the interception for a tying touchdown. With time expired, the Indians then converted the extra point to snatch the victory.
“We had one bad play in the second game,” Burnett said. “If we just hold the football the time runs out and we win. Instead, we throw a ball over our kid’s head, they picked it off and we touched him, but the official didn’t see it, and that gives them a touchdown and we lose. But you have to know the situation. We could have just eaten the ball and won the game.”
Quarterback Ike Hall had one of his most crisp outings of the summer, converting 59 of 82 passes – 72 percent – with eight touchdowns and one interception. The Lions scored on eight of 17 possessions – a 47 percent success rate – after reaching the end zone on just 4 of 22 trips a week ago.
“We talked about his internal time clock and he had fewer four-second calls, so I’m really pleased with that,” Burnett said of Hall. “I thought his play selection was good. He’s starting to understand the defense a little bit better, so all-in-all I thought it was a good day.”
Leading receivers for the Lions included Jason Jackson (20 catches, 1 TD), Konlyn Anderson (12 catches, 3 TDs), Jordan Leach (8 catches), Case Markham (7 catches, 2 TDs), Brayden Daub (5 catches, 1 TD), Thad Hinds (2 catches, 1 TD), Jake Jetton (2 catches), Jaylan Brown (2 catches), and Hayden Noe (1 catch).
“Only on one drive did we stay on the right side, but the next game he spread it out,” Burnett said of Hall’s pass distribution. “When you have as many weapons as we do, you can’t get locked in on your buddy on the guy you think is the best, you have to throw to all of them. Spreading the field will cause everyone to be open, not just one guy.”
Defensively, the Lions allowed touchdowns on 7 of 17 opponent possessions – 41 percent – and intercepted four passes as Noah Barron snagged two and Morsello Hooker and Colton McMillan each picked off a pass in the end zone.
No team has reached the 20-point mark against Brownwood, which has yielded two touchdowns or less in seven of 10 qualifying games.
On Friday at Jim Ned, the Lions will take the field for the final time before competing in the 7-on-7 Division II state tournament June 23-24 at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station.
Regarding goals for the last qualifier, Burnett said, “I just want to see growth. When we touch the football we ought to score, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t. That’s my goal, I want perfection. We won’t attain ever it I don’t think, but I want to get as close as possible. I want to see us scoring in the 30s and 40s. Defensively, if we keep holding people to two scores we should win every game we play.”
