After a very successful football campaign in 2019, the Brownwood Lions are off and running on what they intend to be another great year on the gridiron.

Saying the team is farther along than they’ve ever been on day one Monday, Head Coach Sammy Burnett and staff put the Lions through about one hour of defensive drills followed by offense.  There were also no complaints about unseasonably cool temperatures for the 4:30 pm practice.

“We see some mistakes but when you question them they’re a lot farther advanced than we were before. Right now we’re at a good point. The biggest positive has been the senior leadership and the kids are following their lead and they’re doing what they’re asked to do,” Burnett said. “There’s not a lot of coaches complaining and trying to get kids to do stuff, they do what they’re asked.”

Approximately 125 players reported to the first practice, but the varsity numbers are on the low end as of now. Brownwood returns just 15 of 36 lettermen, including four offensive and three defensive starters, from last year’s 11-2 squad that reached the third round of the playoffs.

“One thing’s that concerning is our numbers,” Burnett said. “Right now we’re looking, without sophomore help, at 27 on the varsity. That’s due to the fact that we had a class that wasn’t as strong, but we’re going to work through that and make sure we find the numbers that we need to have enough people on the team that can go fill some spots.”

For now it’s helmets and shorts but the Lions can go to full pads this Friday.

The Lions are slated to host Godley on Thursday, Aug. 20 in their lone scrimmage, then travel to No. 3 Lampasas for the season opener on Friday, Aug. 28.