The Brownwood Lions will try to reset their season Friday night when they travel to face the Class 4A Division II No. 10 Graham Steers at Newton Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Brownwood enters the road game with a 1-2 record after a difficult Week 3 performance, while Graham is 3-0. The Lions opened the season with a 13-7 victory at Abilene Wylie, then lost 28-24 to Class 4A Division I No. 1 Stephenville in the final minute before falling 54-6 to Class 4A Division I No. 8 Springtown last week.

The trip to Graham marks Brownwood’s second road game of the season. The Lions earned their first win at Abilene Wylie on opening night.

Brownwood looks to regain its early-season form

Brownwood head coach Jeryl Brixey said the Lions must use the Springtown loss as a learning experience and return to the effort level they showed in the opening two games.

“We’re a much better football team that what we showed last Friday night,”

Brixey said the challenge is especially significant because Brownwood’s non-district schedule has been demanding. He said the team must prepare fully regardless of its opponent and play with consistent physical effort throughout the game.

“If we win games, it’s going to be because we play with 100 percent grit and strain and grind every play.”

Through three games, Brownwood is averaging 14.3 points and 230.3 yards per game, including 129.3 rushing yards and 101 passing yards. The Lions have committed no turnovers on offense in the season statistics supplied by Brownwood News.

Running back Trent Buffington leads the ground game with 361 yards and four touchdowns on 78 carries. Quarterback Riggs Gray has completed 23 of 54 passes for 303 yards and one touchdown. Jack Bauchman leads the receiving group with seven catches for 91 yards, while Brody Bolton has three receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown.

Undefeated Graham brings a high-powered offense

Graham has defeated Godley 42-12, Saginaw Eagle Mountain 48-0 and Class 3A Division I No. 5 Paradise 32-21. The Steers are averaging 41 points and 474 yards per game, with 298 rushing yards and 176 passing yards per outing.

Quarterback Cooper Corley has completed 33 of 45 passes for 528 yards and four touchdowns. He has also rushed for 285 yards and five touchdowns. Running back Dylan Cox has produced 468 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while receivers Bryce Martin and Brodie Martin have combined for 21 catches, 386 yards and two touchdowns.

Brixey identified Corley as the player who makes Graham’s offense operate, noting that the quarterback can run and throw. He also pointed to the Martin brothers and Graham’s large offensive line as challenges for the Brownwood defense.

“They’re going to be a handful for our defense and we’re going to have to strain and grind and give every ounce play after play to make the plays we need to make.”

Brownwood’s defense is allowing 29.7 points and 420.6 yards per game, including 238.3 rushing yards and 182.3 passing yards. The Lions have recorded five takeaways in the season statistics.

Isaac Gonzales leads Brownwood with 23 tackles, including two for loss and one sack. Hudson Fry has 19.5 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack. Hutton Malone has 16.5 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries, while Wyatt Wolf has 12 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and a blocked field goal.

Steers also rank highly on defense

Graham is allowing 11 points per game, has recorded one shutout, and has produced 12 sacks and six takeaways. Kyler Alexander leads the Steers with 25 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. Thomason Burkett has 21 tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks.

Brixey said Graham’s defense has similarities to Brownwood’s defensive alignments and adjustments, but its defensive line features several larger players. He added that Brownwood must recover the physicality and effort that were missing against Springtown.

“We’ve got to rebound and play at that level and be giving all our effort on every single play.”

According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, Brownwood is a 12-point underdog. The Lions’ season record entering Friday is 1-2, while their district record is 0-0.