Characterized by many as the best game of the year, the Brownwood Lions defeated the Glen Rose Tigers Friday night in the Division II 3A Region I Area championship game with a solid defense and a more consistent offense. As a result, Brownwood High School Head Football Coach Bob Shipley and the Lions will advance to their regional playoff game on Thanksgiving weekend with some great momentum.
“It was incredible, when you take a team that scored 52 points last week and how they held them to just 14 points. Our defense really stepped up,” said Shipley. “They continue to gain confidence, I’m just really proud of them.”
Although it wasn’t a perfect game, it was special as a school record was broken when Matthew McCrane kicked a 52 yard field goal.
“I’m pretty embarrassed of our extra point attempts, and they kept getting worse, but that 52 yard field goal makes up for it,” joked Shipley.
The fumble by the Glen Rose quarterback late in the first quarter that Brownwood recovered and ultimately drove down with a score was what Shipley felt was a key turning point in the game. Having a 25-7 lead at the half then scoring on the initial drive after halftime sealed the game for the Lions.
Shipley stated that the team is really enjoyable to coach and that he is very proud of them.
“They are so fun to coach. Nobody thought we’d make it this far, and now they are just having fun,” stated Shipley. “I thought it was one of the best efforts of the whole year.”
The Lions play the next round of the playoffs in Sweetwater on Friday, November 25th at 7:30pm against the winner of Saturday’s game between Monahans and Lubbock Estacado.
Coach Shipley announced that the Lions will have their traditional Thanksgiving day practice 9:00am at Gordon Wood Stadium and all fans, parents and Brownwood High School alumni are invited to come support the team and have a meet and greet with the players.
Click our photo gallery below for pictures from the game. Video shows the Brownwood Lions coaches talking to player and fans after the game.
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