Briarwood football punches playoff ticket with win

Published 1:21 am Saturday, October 25, 2014

By JOHN McEACHIN/For the Reporter

BIRMINGHAM — All they needed was the second quarter, as the Briarwood Christian Lions sealed a playoff spot in a 35-0 win over the John Carroll Catholic Cavaliers on the road.

The first quarter was scoreless, but BCS quarterback Walker Lott scored the first touchdown of the game on a 4-yard run. After a fumbled kick return, Briarwood took over less than a minute later to set up another Lott touchdown run from 10 yards out to make it 14-0.

With 4:15 to go in the half, Jake Morris returned a punt 70 yards for a BCS touchdown to give the Lions a 21-0 lead, but there was still more scoring to come.

Lott hit wide receiver Luke Dyson in the endzone on a 34-yard touchdown pass to give the Lions a 28-0 lead with 39 seconds to go before halftime. BCS scored one more time when Jordan Depaolantonio ran two yards out to give Briarwood a 35-0 lead midway through the 3rd quarter.

Even more, Briarwood’s defense dominated the game holding the Cavaliers to a mere 26 yards of total offense.

John Carroll quarterback Riley Mara was 4-of-8 for 7 yards in the air with an interception. He was also the Cavaliers’ leading rusher with 49 yards.

Walker Lott went 11-of-18 for 142 yards with a touchdown pass and two interceptions. Lott also ran for 69 yards on 11 carries with two rushing touchdowns.

Briarwood Christian improved to 4-5 on the season as John Carroll Catholic fell to 0-9. Briarwood will host Madison Academy for the final regular season game on Friday, Oct.31 at 7pm. John Carroll Catholic will also play their final game of the season at home against the Springville Tigers.