BROWNWOOD — Whatever success the Brownwood Lions achieve in 2026 may be less a case of execution than survival. To put it bluntly, Brownwood’s first six games of this season could very well be the toughest row of opponents faced by any Class 4A DII team in Texas.
If the young Lions can come out of their non-district portion reasonably healthy (regardless of record), they could be battle-hardened enough to snag a playoff spot by season’s end.
So how difficult is this slate? How about a road game at Class 5A Wylie (Aug. 28), followed by home dates with state 4A DI state champion Stephenville (Sept. 4) and perennial toughie Springtown (Sept. 11). A road date with 4A regional contender Graham will come on Sept. 18 and a road date at always tough China Spring will follow a week later.
If that isn’t tough enough, the Lions will begin play in District 13-4A DII on Oct. 9 against another perennial power, Waco La Vega, at Gordon Wood Stadium.
Nothing quite like starting off a playoff series with a masterpiece from your pitcher. 
Scoring and rebounding is only part of the story when it comes to basketball. Behind the scenes and beyond the view of the public, is where character is often measured. And it is with our Big Country Preps Gym Rat Team that we salute the individuals who exude the most of it. 
As one would expect, the Jim Ned Relays had a quality field of competition last week, opening the door for one of its athletes to snag Big Country Preps Player of the Week honors. 
STEPHENVILLE — With archrival Brownwood paying Stephenville a visit on Tuesday the storylines in both ends of a varsity doubleheader at Gandy Gym were quite similar: A heavily-favored, district title contender facing a stubborn rival still battling for a playoff spot.
With weather postponements forcing Tolar to play three games last week, there was positive in an otherwise hectic week: It gave one of THS’ athletes the opportunity to showcase a remarkable run of consistency. 
BROWNWOOD — A sluggish start was nothing that a 14-1 run couldn’t fix. 
Nobody played a tougher schedule over the holidays than the Wall boys. And nobody had a bigger impact on their successful run through a brutal five-game stretch than 6-foot-7 big man Paxton Brake who takes our first Big Country Preps Player of the Week for 2026.
Stephenville 49, Burnet 0 — Trot Jordan threw for 222 yards and three scores and rushed for 53 yards and another TD as Stephenville improved to 10-0. 
Stephenville 49, Brownwood 0 — For a complete report on this game, please read Brandon McAuliffe’s 
Brownwood 38, Burnet 7 — Judson Coalson threw for 116 yards and two scores and Levi Pearson rushed for 63 yards and another TD to lead Brownwood to an easy win on the road.
Stephenville 65, Marble Falls 7 — The Yellow Jackets (7-0, 2-0) raced out to a 49-0 lead by the break before coasting home for the win.
Slowly but surely, the Cooper Cougars have emerged as one of the most explosive teams in the Big Country. And in its latest exploit, CHS rolled up 517 yards in total offense in a 66-16 win over Lubbock Cooper. 
With Hamlin extending its winning streak to five, I can hear its detractors (and with some validity) saying that the Pipers have yet to be tested by an upper tier 2A DII team. 
Brownwood 42, Lampasas 39 — Judson Coalson threw for 295 yards and five scores as Brownwood knocked off previously unbeaten Lampasas at Gordon Wood Stadium. 
Stephenville 64, Waco La Vega 28 — Zyler McClendon rushed for 207 yards and three scores and Trot Jordan threw for 235 yards and three more TDs as Stephenville routed La Vega. 
Waco La Vega 38, Brownwood 16 
Brownwood 34, Glen Rose 28 — Judson Coalson threw for 174 yards and two scores to help the Lions (1-2) earn their first win of the season.