The District 5 fourth-seed Brownwood Lions (4-5) will tangle with Kennedale Friday night at Wildcat Stadium in Kennedale starting at 7:30 pm.  Kennedale is the District 6 champion with a record of (9-0-1).

These same schools played two years ago in the opening round of the playoffs, a game the Wildcats won.

According to stats compiled by Derrick Stuckly of Brownwoodnews.com, the Wildcats – who produce 36 points and allow 8 per game on average – have survived close calls against Sunnyvale (28-27), Benbrook (16-13 in OT), and Wimberley (17-14). Kennedale and Longview Pine Tree played to a 10-10 tie when the power went out at Wildcat Stadium at halftime. The rest of the Wildcats’ wins have come in convincing fashion against Fort Worth Carter-Riverside (69-0), Fort Worth Eastern Hills (50-0), Fort Worth Dunbar (57-0), Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis (forfeit), Fort Worth Western Hills (56-7) and Fort Worth Castleberry (52-7).

Brownwood’s offense heads into the contest averaging 28 points and 295 yards – 152 rushing and 143 passing – with 21 turnovers on the season.

Quarterback Blaize Espinoza has completed 44 of 91 passes for 856 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. The ground game is led by Royshad Henderson (973 rushing yards, 14 TDs) and Konlyn Anderson (287 rushing yards, 3 TDs). Top receiving threats include Jason Jackson (27-635, 9 TDs), Dane Johnson (25-279), Elias Huerta (13-115) and Malachi Revada (10-142, 2 TDs). Paving the way up front are Brad Robinson, Jimi Brown, Ethan Pesina, Logan Gillem and Jared Northcutt.

Tune in to KOXE 101.3 starting at 6:00 pm as we get  you set for the night with the Pigskin Pic ‘Em Show followed by Lion Talk, the Countdown to Kickoff, Pre-Game Show and the game broadcast with Dallas Huston, Carl Wayne and Michael Richardson.  Download the KOXE App and listen there or on KOXE.com.

After the game, stick around for the Dr. Pepper High School Scoreboard Show with Mike Blagg and Randy Turner.