Following Homewood’s playoff-clinching 31-21 home victory against Pelham last week, the Patriots look to continue their five-game win streak in a game to seal a top 2 seed in the playoffs.

Junior wide receiver and place-kick holder Connor Brunner is feeling the excitement and anticipation ahead of the game.

“Nothing has really changed in practice on the offensive side of the ball,” Brunner said. “We feel like we can really use our strengths in our receivers and offensive line and drive the ball down the field.”

He acknowledged, however, his team cannot get caught up in a string of successful results.

“Regardless of our recent success, we have to remain focused on the next game and take it a week at a time,” Brunner said.

Junior linebacker and kicker Whit Armistead said there has been an intensity to their practices and meetings this week.

“For the defense, it’s mainly the same message, but just with more meaning and intensity,” Armistead said. “Every week we kind of tailor to the offense of our opponent, but they don’t really run anything out of the ordinary so it’s very manageable.”

“It’s definitely a game that’s been marked on the calendar all year,” Brunner said. “Briarwood has definitely been a huge game for us.”

Armistead said he obviously prefers kicking extra points instead of field goals and sees that continuing against the Lions.

“I feel confident in our abilities to really drive the ball and get ourselves in the endzone,” he said.

The place-kicking partnership of Brunner and Armistead have only missed one field goal and one PAT all year, providing consistent points in this win streak. They’ll look to continue this against a historic rival this week. 

“It’s a routine for us two,” Brunner said. “By now, it’s just muscle memory, but with a guy like Whit, it was pretty easy to just find our rhythm.”

Alongside Brunner and Armistead, the rest of the Patriots, are not only excited, but ready to take care of business and go earn their top 2 seed.