Briarwood Christian School head football coach Fred Yancey has been excited about the way his defense is shaping up in spring practice.

Yancey’s enthusiasm is at a higher level after watching the Lions pick apart the Oak Mountain offense as they edged the Eagles 18-8 in a spring scrimmage May 21 at Heardmont Park.

“The defense is going to be a pretty salty bunch,” Yancey said.

Briarwood’s Will Byers and Harlan Bailey returned an interception for a touchdown each and the Lions added a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Matthew Furuto in the third quarter in the scrimmage.

Byers returned an interception 24 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter and Bailey returned a pick 55 yards for a score in the fourth quarter. Briarwood was unsuccessful on all three two-point conversion attempts.

Michael Jointer scored Oak Mountain’s lone touchdown on a 13-yard run in the third quarter. Jointer ran in for the two-point conversion.

Veterans Sam Whitaker and Devin Bowman led the Briarwood offense. Whitaker rushed for 55 yards on 14 carries. Bowman had two receptions for 45 yards before leaving the scrimmage in the third quarter with an injury.

Briarwood quarterback Cole Pearson completed 12-of-21 passes for 95 yards and rushed for another 28 yards in his first varsity action.

“Cole made some nice plays,” Yancey said. “He led us to a nice scoring drive in the third quarter. I’m real proud of his leadership and potential.”

Trey Page and Michael Jointer led Oak Mountain. Page rushed for 62 yards on 14 carries. Jointer rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in the second half.

Oak Mountain coach Jeff Harris said Page, a starting receiver for the Eagles, did a nice job backing up quarterback Paul Angel.

“Paul got dinged up a little bit,” Harris said. “Trey did a fantastic job reading the zone.”

Harris said Jointer will provide plenty of depth in the Oak Mountain backfield this fall.

“Michael had some nice gains,” Harris said. “We were able to get some inside zone runs. We’re excited about the way he played.”

While the Briarwood defense is set, the Lions’ offense could have a different look in the fall. Offensive coordinator Geoff Walters is leaving the coaching staff for the head coaching position at Evangelical Christian School in Memphis, Tenn.

Yancey said the Lions are still looking at their options for Walters’ replacement.

“We haven’t made any plans yet,” Yancey said.