#PRZTN Game of the Week: Ensworth vs. MUS
The #PRZTN Game of the Week takes us to Ensworth High School where we have a big time matchup between two D2-Class AAA programs that are both putting together good 2021 campaigns while sporting several college level prospects.
This could be an outstanding game that is not settled until the final whistle of the 4th quarter. Here is your game preview between the Owls and the home Tigers.
Ensworth (3-1) vs. MUS (3-1)
When: Friday, September 17th
Where: Nashville, TN (Ensworth HS)
Follow @EnsworthFB, @OwlBuzz, @csmithscout
TV/Radio: Ensworthlive.com, @ESPN790
Prospects to Watch
(DB) Charles Ingram V Charles Ingram V 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Ensworth | 2022 State TN – Ensworth
– Ingram is a two-way talent for his Tigers team that will be key in their Friday night game with the visiting Owls. The current Furman commit is one of the more athletic playmakers on the Tigers roster and has shown great flashes this year as a big play running back along with his lockdown abilities on defense at cornerback. Ingram is a player the Owls must keep an eye throughout the night or he may go off.
(QB) George Hamsley – MUS
– There is no question that Hamsley has made the Tigers pre-game checklist as someone to key on and hopefully slow down during Friday night’s contest. Hamsley is a confident, poised, accurate passer that can carve up a defense if given the chance to do so. He is also a solid athlete that will beat you with his legs but it’s his precision and deep ball passing that can take over a game and end up defeating Ensworth.
(OL) Phillip Gray Phillip Gray 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Ensworth | 2022 State TN – Ensworth
– Gray has been a major force on the Tigers O-line so far this year and is playing his best football yet at the right time. The Tigers offense has moved Gray up and down the line due his versatility and ability to play multiple positions. That versatility could pay off when it comes to his recruitment but for Friday night, Gray will be put in the best position to dominate and help his team win.
(RB/DB) Hunter Barnes Hunter Barnes 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH MUS | 2022 State TN – MUS
– Barnes is the one guy on the Owls roster that has the ability to break a game wide open on one play as he is a fast and athletic two-way talent that the Tigers must key on and stop on Friday night. Barnes will be the #1 back behind Hamsley but he can also line up in the slot at receiver. He is a dynamic player that can excel anywhere you put him on the field, including on defense where he will be tasked to defend a talented Tigers receiving corps.
‘23 (WR/DB) Jacob Page Jacob Page 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Blackman | 2023 State TN – Ensworth
– Page is one of the more overall talented prospects we have for the 2023 class and this season he has really made a statement as a force on either side of the ball. The Tigers junior two-way talent brings size, athleticism and instincts to the field that you don’t find in many other players. Page has to share the spotlight with several others but he is legit go-to receiver and ball hawking defensive back that will be on the Power Five level very soon.
‘23 (LB) Stryker Aitken Stryker Aitken 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB MUS | 2023 TN – MUS
– The youth of the Owls defense is spearheaded by Aitken, a junior linebacker that has a nose for the ball and consistently puts himself in the middle of action. This West Tennessee defender is key to the Owls defense and their goal at developing into a championship caliber defense. Aitken is an active, physical run stuffer that is developing his coverage skills nicely. He has produced at a high level so far this year and will need to do so yet again in Friday nights contest with Ensworth to help the Owls come out on top.
Key Matchups
1. Hamsley & the Owls passing attack vs. a stout Ensworth secondary
– Friday night presents a big opportunity for Hamsley personally as he will be facing one of the best secondaries in the state, so he could definitely enhance his recruitment but his play through the air will be key when it comes to beating these Tigers. Ensworth has an athletic secondary led by Ingram, Page and current Toledo commit, Roland McGhee Roland McGhee 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Ensworth | 2022 State TN . They have the talent on the back end to shut down an opposition’s passing attack, so Hamsley and the Owls must do a good job at taking what the defense gives them and hitting on the big play when it’s provided to them. If Hamsley throws for over 300 yards against the Ensworth, the Owls could be headed back to Memphis with a win.
2. The Tigers & their pursuit in stopping Barnes
– Watching the Ensworth defense work and trying to stop Barnes on Friday night will be fun to see as the Owls senior back is fast and talented but the Tigers are big up front and have the horses to put a halt to the MUS rushing attack. Barnes has the ability to go off and give the Tigers defense troubles if they don’t come to play. Ensworth will need guys like Bralynn Morris Bralynn Morris 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Ensworth | 2023 State TN and Ethan Utley Ethan Utley 6'4" | 265 lbs | DL Ensworth | 2025 State TN to play technique sound football and beat blocks on their way towards wrapping up Barnes. The Tigers defense as a whole will be a key for the entire game as MUS has a potent offense that can give Ensworth fits and defeat them if they aren’t prepared.
3. A young Owls defense slowing Moore & the Tigers offense
– This could be the most interesting battle between the two teams on Friday night as you have a hot quarterback right now in junior Levi Moore going up against a young but talented Owls defense. Moore and the Tigers offense have been putting up large numbers and points over the past several games and will be looking to do the same on Friday evening. Alongside Moore on offense, the Tigers have talented skill surrounding him that presents a challenge for a young Owls defense. They have the task of slowing down Ingram, Page and #PRZTN’s #1 ranked receiver for the ‘23 class in Shamar Porter Shamar Porter 6'3" | 200 lbs | WR Ensworth | 2023 State TN and it won’t be an easy task to accomplish. If MUS wants any chance at winning this game, they have to keep the skill players on Ensworth’s offense in check.
Scout’s Take/Game Prediction
– I am looking forward to this game at Ensworth on Friday night as you have two very talented teams with college prospects spread out across both rosters and two teams that will be a part of the D2-Class AAA playoffs later this season. The Tigers of Ensworth have been playing some good football of late and have the utmost confidence at the moment. MUS is also playing good football at the moment, so something must give when these two battle on Friday evening.
The biggest key to the entire game for me is the Ensworth defense and their abilities at stopping Hamsley and the MUS passing attack. The Owls have two talented wideouts to throw to in seniors Clarkson Shoaf Clarkson Shoaf 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR MUS | 2022 State TN and Mac Owen to go along with Barnes and his athleticism at running back. The Owls have a talented offense with plenty of options to throw up against an Ensworth defense full of college prospects.
If this game remains close until the 4th quarter, I could see this game going either way. If one team breaks out early with a large lead, either Ensworth or MUS could be the winner, however I expect this to be a hard fought, close contest that is not settled until the 2nd half.
This could be a game full of exciting plays, key stops on defense and two teams fighting two and nail for a victory but only one team can come out as the victor and I believe that will be the Tigers.
Score Prediction: Ensworth 35 MUS 30