Scrimmage Notes: Ensworth vs. Ravenwood
Pre-season action is coming to a close this weekend as next Thursday kicks off the 2021 season but before we get there, we have a few more scrimmages to check out and break down.
Thursday night from West Nashville saw the Raptors of Ravenwood travel to host Ensworth for a clash of two power programs that both have their eyes glued on a trip to Cookeville.
Good thing it was still preseason because both teams had struggles and showed that both teams still have work to do if they want to compete for state titles. While both teams have to keep developing, Ravenwood looked like the better team on Thursday night and poised for a big year.
Ensworth is blending in a mix of veterans and youth, so it may take some time before Tigers reach their maximum abilities this season but they have some horses to get there.
Raptors Flex Their Offensive Muscle
Many know about star quarterback and current Florida State commit, Chris Parson Chris Parson 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Ravenwood | 2023 State TN and we will get back to him soon but on Thursday evening, the Raptors offense does not run smoothly and does not consistently move the football without the power up front and line play from their offensive line.
It was an outstanding showing from the Ravenwood O-line as they were able to handle the Ensworth D-line with almost absolute ease and did so until the starters came out mid-way through the 3rd quarter.
The Raptors have a big and powerful O-line that should be the consistent, key cog that helps Ravenwood to a successful regular season and a hopeful deep run in the playoffs. They are led up front by mean, nasty and athletic lineman in Carter Miller Carter Miller 6'4" | 295 lbs | OL Ravenwood | 2022 State TN . Thursday night was the first time seeing Miller compete in person and the guy not only looks the part but he plays it too.
Miller and the rest of his Raptor O-lineman were on point last night and were the big reasons why Parson was able to throw it with time and offensive standouts (RB) Justin Smitherman Justin Smitherman 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Ravenwood | 2022 State TN and (WR) Lee Molette Lee Molette 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Ravenwood | 2022 State TN were able to make plays.
Parson showed a big arm and deep ball accuracy. You can easily see why he is committed to FSU and why coaches and scouts are big on his potential. Smitherman ran both ways churning out long gains on offense and consistently being around the ball on defense. Molette is really coming into his body finally as he looks the part of a legit college receiver.
Ravenwood has all the parts on offense to not only be one of the best in the state but have the pieces to march through a deep Class 6A and fight for a spot in the title game.
Tigers Play Inconsistent Football
It wasn’t the best of showings for the Tigers on Thursday night but it was a learning opportunity to get better and by playing a talented Raptors team, Ensworth was able to see a championship level squad and know what areas to improve upon going forward.
The biggest issue all game for the Tigers was their push up front on both sides of the ball. Neither the offensive or defensive line was able to generate any traction or force up field to disrupt the play and slow up the Raptors offense. It was an uphill battle most of the game for the line of scrimmage and ultimately was the main reason why the Tigers couldn’t do anything consistently.
Ravenwood didn’t win this scrimmage over Ensworth due to being overly talented because the Tigers have their fair share of D1 talent but it was the Raptors attention to detail and desire to force their will that won the night for the Williamson County program.
Ensworth did receive some good individual play at moments throughout the night. Running back Mark Smith is a small but fast and athletic runner that the Raptors defense had a hard time catching up to all night long. Toledo commit, safety Roland McGhee Roland McGhee 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Ensworth | 2022 State TN had several key stops on defense, including a big 4 and 1 tackle in the backfield that gave the ball back to the Tigers.
Overall for the Tigers, Thursday night was a teaching moment for the entire team and a test as they faced a team that should be competing for a state title by season’s end, so Ensworth knows now what top competition will look like.
Ensworth will get better and will improve as the season rolls along and eventually develop into a good team, a spoiler in the D2-Class AAA ranks.
Etc. …..
– Both Ensworth and Ravenwood are talented teams with pieces to go deep into the playoffs but the one factor that separates the Raptors from the Tigers is their play at quarterback. Parson is legit and the kind of talent that can put a team on his back and take them to a title. Ensworth doesn’t have that guy right now but is working to find him. If they can find consistent QB play, Ensworth will become a better squad because they have the skill and several pieces up front to develop into a force of a team.
– Two young linemen that flashed multiple times last night were 2023 (DE) Mason Green Mason Green 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Ravenwood | 2023 State TN from Ravenwood and 2025 Ensworth two-way lineman Ethan Utley Ethan Utley 6'4" | 265 lbs | DL Ensworth | 2025 State TN . Green has really matured and grown into his body over the past several months and could be on the verge of breaking out into one of the top defensive end prospects in the ‘23 class.
Utley hardly left the field last night, going both ways and staying engaged throughout the contest. This guy has all the size and upside to develop into a Power Five talent and possibly one of the best overall prospects in his recruiting class. Both Green and Utley are two big men scouts and college coaches should begin to know now!