By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

NORTH SHELBY – Oak Mountain scored three times on Briarwood Christian turnovers, as the Eagles cruised to a 35-0 shutout of the Lions on Sept. 25.

The Eagles (2-3, 1-2 in Class 7A, Region 3) used a stifling defense to hold Briarwood (1-4, 1-2 in Class 6A, Region 5) out of the end zone, despite multiple trips to the red zone.

“Those kids have been playing great really the last three weeks since the Hoover ballgame,” Oak Mountain head coach Cris Bell said of his defense. “It’s good to see them get some picks tonight, get some turnovers. We had guys making plays all over the place. Really all the guys who played on defense tonight did a super job.”

Oak Mountain quarterback Warren Shader completed five of seven passing attempts for 72 yards, and also served as the team’s leading rusher, gaining 148 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.

Briarwood quarterback William Gray completed 17 of 32 passing attempts for 148 yards, and also was the Lions’ leading rusher, gaining 51 yards on 19 carries.

On defense, Oak Mountain’s Payton Youngblood and Armond Lloyd led with three solo tackles and three assists apiece, followed by Mitchell Jones, who recorded four solo tackles.

After Briarwood drove into the red zone on its second possession of the game, Oak Mountain defensive back Thomas Pechman intercepted Gray’s pass in the end zone, eventually leading to a seven-yard touchdown run by Daniel Salchert. Nick Carney’s successful PAT put the Eagles ahead 7-0 with 43 seconds left in the first quarter.

On Briarwood’s next drive, Oak Mountain defensive back Mitchell Jones intercepted Gray’s pass and ran it back 26 yards for a touchdown. Carney’s extra point split the uprights.

The Eagles continued their roll to start the second half, as Shader broke free for a 40-yard touchdown run to kick off the half. Shader also added a touchdown on a three-yard run to start the fourth quarter. Carney’s PATs put Oak Mountain ahead 28-0 with 10:13 remaining in the game.

Oak Mountain nose tackle Armond Lloyd ended any hope of a Briarwood touchdown when he scooped up a Gray fumble with 4:22 remaining in the contest.

The Eagles’ final score came on a six-yard scamper by Ethan Duncan with 2:05 left in the game.