The Brownwood Lions will take a three-game winning streak and a resurgent defense into Friday night’s Class 4A Division II Region IV bi-district playoff against the Lago Vista Vikings.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Crusader Stadium in Belton. Brownwood, the District 13-4A Division II third seed, enters at 5-5, while District 14 runner-up Lago Vista is 8-2. The Lions will be the home team.

The game marks the first meeting between the programs. Brownwood is seeking its fifth consecutive bi-district championship and will be making its 18th straight postseason appearance.

Brownwood enters after decisive Salado win

Brownwood secured its playoff seed with a 44-20 victory over Salado in last week’s home and regular-season finale at Gordon Wood Stadium. The win extended the Lions’ current streak to three games.

Second-year head coach Jeryl Brixey said the Salado victory was likely Brownwood’s most complete performance of the season.

“I think it was probably the best game we played this year,” said Lions second-year head coach Jeryl Brixey.

During the three-game streak, Brownwood’s defense has allowed only 11 points per game and produced 10 of the team’s 22 takeaways this season. For the full season, the Lions have allowed an average of 27.7 points and 369.4 yards per game, including 202 passing yards and 167.4 rushing yards.

Wyatt Wolf leads the defense with 75.5 tackles, three interceptions and two blocked field goals. Isaac Gonzales has 69 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, two fumble recoveries and a blocked extra point. Other major contributors include Christian Gray, Hudson Deen, Hudson Fry, Kasyn Wooten, Hutton Malone, Aiden Jimenez and Sirr Beam.

Brixey said the defense is returning to full strength after injuries. Sirr Beam is expected to be ready, while the injuries have helped build depth in the secondary and at linebacker.

“Defensively I feel like we’re just now getting back to full strength from injury.” Brixey said.

Lago Vista brings high-scoring offense

Lago Vista’s offense is averaging 40 points and 396 yards per game, with 211 yards passing and 185 rushing. Quarterback Easton Rice is the central threat, completing 115 of 185 passes for 2,020 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also has 651 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Vikings’ receiving group includes Derek White, with 38 catches for 617 yards and six touchdowns; Brennan Brown, with 26 catches for 664 yards and six touchdowns; and Cole Schroeder, with 21 catches for 301 yards and two touchdowns.

In the running game, Bobby Ruth has 401 yards and three touchdowns, Devin Parsons has 317 yards and four touchdowns, and Reed Herring has 167 yards and eight touchdowns.

Lago Vista’s two losses came against District 14 champion and state-ranked Wimberley, 27-7, and Lorena, 42-7. The Vikings’ notable victories include wins over Burnet, Llano and Lampasas.

Brixey identified Rice’s ability to run as the biggest concern for Brownwood.

“Their offense is their strength and the biggest threat is their quarterback taking off and running,” Brixey said.

Defensively, Lago Vista has recorded 17 sacks and 13 takeaways, including nine fumble recoveries and four interceptions. Herring leads the Vikings with 72 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and two sacks, while Blake Meredith has six sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

Lions’ offense has accelerated during streak

Brownwood averages 27 points and 296.3 yards per game for the season, but those figures have climbed to 49 points and 388 yards during the three-game winning streak. The Lions are producing 243 rushing yards and 145 passing yards per game during that stretch.

Running back Trent Buffington has rushed for 1,299 yards and 17 touchdowns on 234 carries. Ezra House has added 396 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Quarterback Riggs Gray has completed 67 of 150 passes for 1,051 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Brownwood’s leading receivers are Conner Cornelius, with 17 catches for 275 yards and four touchdowns; Brody Bolton, with 12 catches for 335 yards and three touchdowns; and Jack Bauchman, with 11 catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns.

Brixey said the Lions still have room to improve, but he believes the offense is coming together as the postseason begins. Brownwood’s offensive line is built around Rylan Martin, Jackson Rainey, Bowen Slack, Layton Greer and Darian Arras.

“This is when you want to peak, but I don’t believe in any way, shape, form or fashion has our offense peaked yet,” Brixey said.

The winner will advance to face either District 15 champion Cuero, which is 10-0, or District 16 fourth seed Ingleside, which is 7-3, in next week’s area round.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football computer rankings place Brownwood No. 22 and Lago Vista No. 29 in Class 4A Division II. The rankings list the Lions as four-point favorites.