Sam Whitaker rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown on seven carries to lead Briarwood Christian to a 40-18 win Friday night on the road at Talladega.

The Lions rushed for 185 yards as they racked up 405 yards in total offense in the victory. Paul Barber rushed for 38 yards and Cooper Harrington added 37 yards. Barber completed 1-of-4 passes for 24 yards with an interception before giving way to Cole Pearson, who completed 6-of-15 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns.

Briarwood (4-2, 4-0 in Class 5A, Region 4) jumped out to a 20-0 lead after the first quarter. Zeke Walters opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run. Cooper Harrington added a 12 yard touchdown run and Wilson Whorton added the extra point. Walters scored again on a 3-yard run to cap the first-quarter scoring.

Pearson completed an 80-yard touchdown pass to Keeton Russell in the second quarter as the Lions extended their lead to 27-6 at halftime.

Whitaker scored on a 34-yard run and Pearson threw a 74-yard touchdown pass to Harrington in the third quarter to cap the scoring for Briarwood.

Briarwood hosts Chelsea Oct. 9 in another Class 5A, Region 4 battle.