Five ranked opponents on Lions’ 2025 football schedule

img_4636

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football revealed its preseason rankings on its website Thursday, and the Brownwood Lions will face five opponents ranked either in the Class 4A Division I, Class 4A Division II, or Class 3A Division II Top 25.

The highest-ranked team on the Lions’ schedule is 4A Division I Stephenville, a District 4-4A Division I rival which is ranked No. 4 after a 12-2 campaign a year ago. The Yellow Jackets return five offensive and 10 defensive starters. Brownwood hosts Stephenville in the home finale Oct. 31.

Another district foe for the Lions, Lampasas, is ranked No. 23 in Class 4A Division I. The Badgers welcome back just three starters on each side of the ball from the 10-3 squad in 2024. Brownwood hosts Lampasas in the District 4-4A Division I opener Oct. 10.

In the Class 4A Division II ranks, Waco La Vega comes in No. 3 as the Pirates will host the Lions on Sept. 19. La Vega went 12-4 a year ago, reached the state championship game, and brings back eight offensive and six defensive starters.

Brownwood will also visit 4A Division II No. 14 Glen Rose on Sept. 12. The Tigers posted a 10-3 record year ago and return four offensive and five defensive starters.

In Class 3A Division II, the Wall Hawks come in No. 3 in the preseason poll and will visit Brownwood in the Sept. 5 home opener. The Hawks posted a 13-2 record last season and reached the state semifinals. Wall quarterback Landon York ranks third in the state in all classifications among returnees with 3,767 passing yards a year ago, and the DCTF website also ranked the Hawks’ offensive line as the best in the state in all of Class 3A.

The Lions, in their home scrimmage on Thursday, Aug. 21, will host 4A Division I No. 10. Alvarado. The Indians finished the 2024 campaign with a 13-1 mark. Brownwood’s first scrimmage is Aug. 14 at Wichita Falls Legacy.

Brownwood will open the season at Class 5A Division II Abilene Wylie on Aug. 29, host China Spring Sept. 26 for homecoming, take on Ingleside in a neutral site game at Smithson Valley Oct. 3, and visit Burnet (Oct. 24) and Marble Falls (Nov. 7) in district competition.

Brownwood is coming off a 6-5 season as the Lions prepare for their first campaign under new head coach Jeryl Brixey. Preseason practice begins Monday, Aug. 4.