BIRMINGHAM – Athens used a strong defensive effort Friday to upset No. 8-ranked Briarwood Christian 21-11 in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.

The Lions accumulated 337 yards of offense, but the Golden Eagles were stingy were it counted – inside the red zone.

Athens got on the scoreboard early when quarterback Rob Ezell hit Jacquez Pride on a 82-yard touchdown pass in the opening minutes of the game. Matt Jackson made the extra point.

Briarwood struck back in the second quarter when Matthew Gordon nailed a 26-yard field goal to cut the lead to 7-3.

Senior running back Ferrell Williams punched the ball into the end zone from three yards out just before the half. Jackson made the extra point.

After a scoreless third quarter, Athens got on the board in the fourth quarter when Ezell hit Pride on a 40-yard touchdown pass. Jackson made the extra point to extend the lead to 21-3.

Briarwood scored its only touchdown of the game with 1:43 remaining in the game, when quarterback Barrett Trotter scored on a 5-yard run. The Lions faked the extra point, but Athens’ defense stopped Gordon short of the goal line to prevent the two-point conversion.

Ezell led Athens offensively by rushing for 140 yards on 16 carries. The Golden Eagles rolled up 335 yards of total offense.

Athens (8-3) will host Fort Payne (11-0) Friday in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs.