ALVARADO — The No. 24 Brownwood Lions closed their preseason with a 21-14 scoring edge over Class 4A Division I No. 12 Alvarado during the live half of Thursday’s final scrimmage, turning a sluggish opening into a strong finish before the 2026 regular season.
Brownwood gave up two touchdowns during the controlled portion of the scrimmage. Alvarado scored on a 4-yard run set up by a 51-yard gain and on a 68-yard run that included several missed tackles.
The Indians also scored first in the live half, reaching the end zone with 4:13 remaining in the opening period. Brownwood answered with three consecutive touchdown drives and took control of the scrimmage.
Brownwood offense finds its rhythm
The Lions’ first response was a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive. A 31-yard completion from Riggs Gray to Rush Tharp helped ignite the possession, while Trent Buffington added 44 rushing yards and scored on a 3-yard run. His touchdown tied the live-half score at 7 with 23 seconds left in the first period.
Brownwood’s defense forced a three-and-out on Alvarado’s next possession, allowing only 6 yards on two running plays before an incomplete pass on third down. The Lions then took over at their own 40-yard line and marched 60 yards in nine plays.
Buffington contributed another 31 rushing yards on the drive. Gray completed passes of 8 and 11 yards to Conner Cornelius before throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Gonzales. That score put Brownwood ahead 14-7 with 6:28 remaining.
After another Brownwood defensive stop, Luke McGinnis recorded a second-down sack, and Hudson Fry and Christian Gray combined for a third-down sack. A 17-yard Alvarado punt gave the Lions possession at the Indians’ 31-yard line.
Brownwood needed five plays to cover the 31 yards. Buffington scored his second rushing touchdown of the live half on a 1-yard run with 1:56 remaining. He finished the live half with 99 yards on 19 carries.
Defense and special teams provide key moments
Alvarado did not go quietly. The Indians drove 75 yards in the final minutes and scored on a 38-yard touchdown pass with 17 seconds left, cutting the margin to the final seven points.
Brownwood also produced notable special-teams plays. Aiden Jimenez made all three of his extra-point attempts, and Hudson Deen punted 73 yards to pin Alvarado at its own 6-yard line.
Second-year Brownwood head coach Jeryl Brixey said the Lions improved once the scrimmage moved into live action. “We got into the live half and we became a football team in that live half,” Brixey said.
Brixey said Brownwood’s running game and front seven were particularly effective as the live half progressed. He also pointed to the youth of the offensive line, which finished the final drives with two sophomores and three juniors, along with a junior and a freshman at tight end.
Although he praised the defense’s performance, Brixey said the Lions relaxed late while leading 21-7 and allowed an avoidable touchdown. The coach said the team’s next objective is to improve before the regular-season opener.
Brownwood opens regular season at Abilene Wylie
The Lions begin the 2026 high school football regular season at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, against Class 5A Division II Abilene Wylie. Brownwood’s preseason finale gave the team a win over a ranked opponent, but Brixey said the Lions still have substantial work ahead.
“It was a good night, but there are 10,000 things we can be better at and that’s what we’re going to work on tomorrow,” Brixey said. “We’re in a good place, but we can’t be in the same place next week.”