After a 42-21 victory over China Spring in their pre-district finale and a bye week, the Brownwood Lions (2-3) are prepared to tackle the challenges that await in District 13-4A Division II. Second-year head coach Jeryl Brixey's squad will find out where it stands immediately, as the Lions welcome the No. 2 Waco La Vega Pirates (5-0) to Gordon Wood Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday in the league opener.

"It's good to get started playing the games that truly count, but it might be better to not be playing the top dog in Game 1," Brixey said with a laugh.

"They're an extremely good football team, their kids are talented and they play hard. The people that we've played have prepared us for this level of competition, but it's still going to be a big challenge for us." The Lions are 2-8 all-time against the Pirates, with the last victory coming in 2009. Since 2018, the two teams have met six times, with all games won by La Vega.