By DREW GRANTHUM / Sports Writer

The Briarwood Christian Lions opened the 2013 season by travelling to McDonough, Ga., where they faced the Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy Chargers. The road trip didn’t go as hoped, however, as the Lions fell 27-7.

The Chargers scored first when Athuan Sherrod took a 1-yard run in for a touchdown at the :55 mark in the first quarter. The extra point was good, and the Chargers led 7-0.

The Chargers scored again in the second quarter as Sedrick Palmer ran in from four yards out to put Eagle’s Landing up 14-0 following the extra point.

Eagle’s Landing played keep away for most of the game, leading in total time of possession, 28:02 to the Lions’ 19:58. When the Lions did have the ball, they struggled to move it, logging seven first downs to the Chargers’ 22.

Eagle’s Landing scored twice more before Briarwood got on the scoreboard following Victor Jerald’s 78-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. The extra point by Jonathan McGehee was good, and the Lions trailed by 20 with 8:52 left in the game.

Neither team was able to get on the board again, and the final score was 27-7.

Will Edwards led Briarwood in passing, going 6-for-16 with 113 yards. Jerald rushed nine times for 102 yards and the touchdown. Andrew Schaper had four catches for 83 yards.

The Lions return home to face Sylacauga on Sept. 6.