Here are the Big Country’s passing leaders through Week 5:
Category: Brownwood Lions
PHOTO GALLERY: Brownwood-Wylie football (52 images)
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District 5-4A Div. I Week 5 Report: No. 5 Stephenville dominant again in win over Waco Connally
Stephenville 44, Waco Connally 12 — Ryder Lambert passed for 206 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 148 yards and another score to help the No. 5 Yellow Jackets remain unbeaten with a blowout win over the Cadets.
Stephenville led 31-0 by halftime and cruised from there to take a 5-0 record into its bye week next week.
Coy Eakin had touchdown catches of 36 and 32 yards to improve his Big Country-best receiving TDs total to 12, while Corbin Poston hit three field goals in the victory.
GAME STORY: Wylie runs away for 49-21 homecoming win over Brownwood
The Wylie football team treated a homecoming crowd to a dominating win Friday, scoring the first 35 points in a 49-21 victory over Brownwood.
The Bulldogs, who came in on a two-game losing streak, got their running game going early and controlled the line of scrimmage throughout, piling up 328 yards rushing while bottling up BHS standout Konlyn Anderson in the win.
Anderson came in as the Big Country’s leading rusher with more than 800 yards through the first four weeks, but it was the Wylie run game that stole the show as four Bulldog players tallied at least 70 yards on the ground.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Jim Ned, Snyder clash in battle of unbeatens (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country picks)
LAST WEEK: 36-16, .692
OVERALL: 163-46, .779
After four straight weeks of picking 80 percent or better, the USS Ren ran aground last Friday, bottoming out with a season-low .692 percentage and dropping my season tally to .779.
I generally like to be above 80 percent by midseason, so last Friday served as a wakeup call. Actually, it was more of a gut punch. But I’ll get over it.
This week’s Big Country Preps Game of the Week will see me traveling to Snyder, where the unbeaten Class 4A Tigers will play host to 3A DI state champion Jim Ned in what should be an absolutely electric atmosphere.
You all set? Let’s dive in to this week’s picks.
Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders (through Sept. 21)
Big Country Preps is publishing area volleyball statistical leaders each Tuesday at 7 p.m.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the remainder of the season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
We will continually update the database throughout the regular season.
FEATURE: Anderson is Brownwood’s latest bell-cow running back
Konlyn Anderson has exceeded expectations through four games this season as Brownwood’s latest bell-cow running back, a crucial role in Lions head coach Sammy Burnett’s run-first offensive scheme.
“I honestly believe that if we can move the ball on the ground, we can control the clock and control the opponents’ possessions,” Burnett said Saturday. “If we can run, that opens up our RPOs (run-pass options), our play-action passes and our vertical passing game.”
Burnett’s belief in the running game comes from his football roots. He played the 1985 season at Brownwood for legendary coach Gordon Wood and the 1986 and 1987 seasons for Randy Allen, two of the four winningest coaches in Texas high school football history. Both Wood and Allen utilized the run-first Wing-T offense.
District 5-4A Div. I Week 4 Report: Anderson’s big game fuels Brownwood to win over Burnet
Brownwood 31, Burnet 26 — The Lions evened their record at 2-2, using a 21-point third quarter to build a 31-17 lead they’d protect the rest of the way.
The game was scoreless after a quarter and tied 10-all at halftime, but Brownwood finally pulled away after the break.
The Lions rushed for 285 of their 338 total yards in the win, getting 261 yards and two touchdowns from running back Konlyn Anderson. Jordan Leach added an 83-yard touchdown return for BHS, which allowed 371 yards but forced the only two turnovers of the game.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Improved Lions to pay visit to Brady (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks)
LAST WEEK: 36-16, .692
OVERALL: 163-46, .779
After four straight weeks of picking 80 percent or better, the USS Ren ran aground last Friday, bottoming out with a season-low .692 percentage and dropping my season tally to .779.
Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders (through Sept. 14)
Big Country Preps is publishing area volleyball statistical leaders each Tuesday at 7 p.m.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the remainder of the season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
We will continually update the database throughout the regular season.
District 5-4A Div. I Week 3 Report: Lambert fuels Stephenville past Salado, to 3-0 start
Stephenville 48, Salado 21 — The eighth-ranked Yellow Jackets outscored the Eagles 24-7 in the second quarter to turn a tie game after one period into a 31-14 lead by halftime.
Quarterback Ryder Lambert led the way, throwing five touchdown passes to help Stephenville (3-0) build a 48-14 lead in the fourth quarter.
Kicker Corbin Poston also had a nice game, hitting field goals of 23 and 46 yards while going 6 of 6 on extra-point attempts.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Brady cancels, Ren goes scrambling (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks)
LAST WEEK: 42-9, .823
SEASON TOTAL: 85-21, .801
I was very much looking forward to our Big Country Preps Game of the Week – Coleman (2-0) at Brady (2-0). Unfortunately, COVID intervened by midweek, forcing a cancellation of the contest.
On a positive note, there are several other quality games throughout the area for us to focus on, and (taking a bow) the column is already hitting over 80 percent on picks and we’re only in Week 3.
Numbers of that sort are generally reserved for Weeks 7-10, so I’m feeling pressure to keep the early momentum going.
In the absence of our Game of the Week, I’ll be heading to Cross Plains on Friday, where Haskell will be paying a visit to the Buffaloes (COVID allowing, of course).
Let’s dive in to this week’s picks:
District 5-4A Div. I Week 2 Report: Stephenville rides big second quarter to win over Everman
Stephenville 38, Everman 14 — The Yellow Jackets took it to the Bulldogs, using a 28-7 second-quarter advantage to pull away for their second blowout win in as many weeks.
Stephenville (2-0), which outgained Everman 492-254, scored the game’s first 28 points and led 35-7 at halftime before cruising in the second half.
Quarterback Ryder Lambert had a touchdown pass and run to lead the Yellow Jackets, who also got a pair of scoring runs from Julian Irabarren.
CAPITAL FARM CREDIT/BCP PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Dublin’s Chris Teten snags our first award of the school year
Prior to the season, we listed Dublin’s Chris Teten among our Top 10 area quarterbacks to watch in 2021. And he wasted no time in demonstrating why.
Only a junior, Teten threw for 310 yards and five scores in a 43-14 win over area rival De Leon to capture our first Capital Farm Credit/Big Country Preps Player of the Week award for the 2020-21 school year.
Hitting 16 of 26 throws, Teten threw a 69-yard TD pass on the first play from scrimmage, setting the tone for the rest of the evening. With the game in hand, he played a little more than a half before being taken out.
District 5-4A Div. I Week 1 Report: Brownwood outlasts No. 20 Lampasas for thrilling win
Brownwood 58, Lampasas 55 — The Lions outscored the Badgers 20-7 in the fourth quarter, getting a 21-yard field goal from Junior Martinez as time expired to break a 55-all tie and earn a thrilling win in their season opener.
In a game that went back and forth throughout, Lampasas took the first two-score lead late in the third quarter, but Brownwood (1-0) rallied from that 48-38 deficit to pull ahead 55-48 with about four minutes remaining in the game. The Badgers countered with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Sanchez to Ethan Moreno to tie things up about two minutes later, but the Lions put together the final drive for the game-winning field goal.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Stephenville play host to Sweetwater (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks)
LAST WEEK: 0-0, .000
SEASON TOTAL 0-0, .000
At last, here we are.
The 2021 football season has arrived, giving us a much-needed diversion every Friday night, in isolated spots all over Central Texas. As always, I will endeavor to pick the winner of all our area games, from Class 1A through Class 6A, with the top matchup serving as our Big Country Preps Game of the Week.
Our first spotlight game should come as no surprise, with long-time Hamlin coach Russell Lucas debuting as the head coach of the Sweetwater Mustangs — one of the most -storied programs in the Big Country.
Their opposition?
The Stephenville Yellow Jackets at Tarleton State’s Memorial Stadium.
With that, let’s dive into the picks, shall we?
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Quarterbacks
After a week of highlighting area playmakers, we wrap up our eight-part preseason position rankings series with the Big Country’s best signal callers.
To complete our look at the area’s top players, we’ve ranked our top 10 quarterbacks with a list of others to watch in 2021.
We hope you enjoy this list and that you’ve enjoyed our position rankings as we get set to kickoff a new season.
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Running Backs
As we wind down our eight-part preseason position rankings series, we arrive finally at the Big Country’s top ball-carriers.
After breaking down this year’s crop of receivers and tight ends Monday, we move now to the area’s top backs, ranking our top 10 with a list of others to watch in 2021. Don’t forget to check in Wednesday night when we conclude our series with the top 10 area quarterbacks.
We hope you enjoy tonight’s list and encourage you to check out the other position groups, which are linked below.
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
We’re approaching the final stretch of our eight-part preseason position rankings series, and it’s time to look at the Big Country’s top pass-catchers.
After starting the offensive portion of our series Sunday with the linemen, we now shift our attention to the playmakers on the perimeter, ranking our top 10 wide receivers/tight ends with a list of others to watch in 2021.
We hope you enjoy our list and encourage you to check out the other position groups, which are linked below.
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Offensive Linemen
With the defensive and special teams rankings behind us, it’s time to look at the area’s top offensive players. And we’ll start with the foundation of any productive offense: the offensive line.
For the fifth installment of our eight-part preseason position rankings series, we turn our attention to the trenches, ranking the Big Country’s top 10 offensive linemen with a list of others to watch in 2021.
We hope you enjoy reading through our rankings.
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Kickers/Punters
After recognizing the top defensive players throughout the Big Country over the past three days, it’s time to honor the specialists.
We continue our eight-part preseason position rankings series by naming our top 10 kickers and top three punters to watch this fall.
We hope you enjoy this list and that you have enjoyed our position rankings as we get set to kickoff the 2021 season.
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Defensive Backs
After starting with the linemen and linebackers, we turn to the defensive backfield to complete our look at the top defenders in the Big Country.
For the third installment in our eight-part preseason position rankings series, we shift our focus to the secondary, giving our list of the area’s top-10 defensive backs and others to look out for in 2021.
We hope you enjoy our list.
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Linebackers
After taking a look at the Big Country’s top defensive linemen on Wednesday, it’s now time to examine those who will backing them in 2021.
Continuing with Big Country Preps’ eight-part preseason position rankings series, here’s our top 10 linebackers to watch this fall, as well as a list of the others we’re expecting big things from.
We hope you enjoy our list.
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Defensive Linemen
With the start of football season around the corner, it’s time to take a look at the players who will be making the biggest impact in 2021.
For the first installment in an eight-part series that will cover all position groups, we’ll be taking a look at the area’s top defensive linemen, ranking our top 10 with a list of others to watch this fall.
As with any such list, these rankings are subjective. We hope you enjoy reading through them.
2021 DISTRICT PREDICTIONS: Evan and Daniel make their picks
Without further ado it is time for us to make our Big Country predictions, district-by-district.
This is the culmination of several weeks of research and two solid months of summertime labor, so we’re more than ready to post it.
So dive in and study our take on the upcoming season, along with the more than 80 preseason stories we posted earlier today. Enjoy! We’ll see you on the road.
EVAN REN: The top area games worth traveling to in 2021
Every year, one of the things I look forward to most, is mapping out the upcoming football season — charting the games I believe will have the greatest impact.
First and foremost, it’s a preseason menu for area fans who enjoy driving to some of the Big Country’s best football games on a weekly basis. Call it a football roadmap of sorts.
BROWNWOOD FEATURE: Ethan Pesina, one of the area’s smallest centers, might be its best
BROWNWOOD — At only 5-foot-7 and 225 pounds, Brownwood center Ethan Pesina hardly strikes an imposing figure.
Some may say he barely strikes a varsity figure.
At the end of the day, however, few Big County centers are more consistent, more diligent, or more passionate about giving their best effort than the third-year varsity senior. And that was the case early on when he won District 5-4A Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore in 2019.
2021 BROWNWOOD PREVIEW: Young Lions getting little respect from the media
BROWNWOOD — With only four offensive and six defensive starters back from last year and 40 letterman having graduated, the Brownwood Lions aren’t getting much attention from preseason prognosticators.
Generally projected as a low playoff seed, coach Sammy Burnett’s crew is young, with much of its talent coming in its junior and sophomore classes. The Lions are therefore, viewed by many as being a year away from a breakout season.
Burnett doesn’t see it that way.
Scenes from Big Country Preps Photo Tour Day 5
Day 5 of Big Country Preps’ 2021 Photo Tour is behind us, and two more days of shooting remain from practice fields across the area.
Here are a few of the images collected Saturday from Brock, Brownwood and Brady:
COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: Brownwood Lions
Football is just around the corner, and we at BigCountryPreps.com are committed to bringing you the information you need to prepare for your favorite team’s season.
We’ll be releasing our Big Country Preps Preseason Football Preview, the most comprehensive look at the upcoming Big Country football season anywhere, on Saturday, Aug. 14. But you won’t have to wait until then to sate your gridiron appetite.
Leading up to the first day of fall football practice on Aug. 2, we’ll be spotlighting each 11-man team in the area and posing some of the key questions they’ll face in 2021 as part of our annual “Countdown to Two-a-Days” series.
Today, we stay in Class 4A Division I with the Brownwood Lions. On Thursday, we will take a look at the Stephenville Yellow Jackets, followed by the Wylie Bulldogs on Friday.
