It’s not difficult to discover why the Brownwood Lions are 5-0 and ranked in the top 10 in Class 4A Division I. Their defense is allowing 6.4 points per game and has recorded two shutouts.

“We’re thrilled, obviously,” said David Jones, Brownwood’s second-year defensive coordinator. “It gets harder to defend teams every year with the way they spread the field and the number of snaps they’re getting.

“But we believe that if each player will take care of his business, we’ll be tough to score on.”

Brownwood is fresh off its second shutout this year — a 33-0 win Friday over Class 5A DII Abilene Wylie — a game in which the Lions’ defense allowed only 109 total yards. The other shutout was 10-0 over 3A DI state-ranked Brock in the season opener. Sandwiched between the shutouts are wins overs Snyder (70-3), Graham (28-14) and Wichita Falls Rider (37-15). Brownwood will play its final nondistrict game Friday against Conroe Grand Oaks, a new program that will join the UIL next season.