Baylor Takes Big Road Win Over Ensworth

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Muscles were flexed in West Nashville on Friday night as the Baylor Red Raiders came into Ensworth for a battle and walked away as the clear better team in a 35-17 defeat over the Tigers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game was billed as one of the top games for the entire state during Week Two and it did not disappoint, well at least for two quarters before the Red Raiders took command in the second half and cruised their way to victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a physical contest from both squads, especially in the trenches where you had multiple college prospects going toe to toe, including a pair of future Power Five players in Baylor offensive tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102315' first='Brycen' last='Sanders'] </strong>and Tigers sophomore D-lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219447' first='Ethan' last='Utley']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams had to feel their way through the game early but by the end of the 1st quarter, points started being put on the board. Baylor was the first score by way of physical running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='200429' first='Caleb' last='Hampton']</strong>, who produced multiple touchdowns on the evening.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ensworth quickly answered with a <strong>Martez Cooksey </strong>one yard touchdown run to tie things up but the Red Raiders wouldn't let that stand as they marched right back down the field and scored this time by the air.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='323145' first='Whit' last='Muschamp'] </strong>found under the radar senior tight <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201093' first='Dalton' last='Restelli'] </strong>open down the seams, putting the Red Raiders back on top 14-7. Baylor would add on the points but the Tigers would continue to fight and remain in the game as things went to halftime with the road team on top, 21-17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game was in balance as we started the second half and both teams felt almost even but I and the crowd had no idea that Baylor would dominate and keep Ensworth off the scoreboard the rest of the way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":429271,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/ensworth-baylor-4-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-429271"/><figcaption>Photo: Amanda Ruffing , CSS</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was an impressive second half performance from the Red Raiders as they ball controlled the game on offense with some passes thrown in the mix but also shut down the Tigers offense defensively as well with stellar play from the defensive line and ball chasing aggression from senior linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201082' first='Noah' last='Gravel']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rushing attack from Hampton and the Red Raiders offensive line proved to be the difference in the road team controlling the second half, eventually picking up the win. The Ensworth defense could not gain a push up front nor tackle Hampton, so by the 4th quarter, the Tigers were gassed and showing leaks everywhere.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After another touchdown pass from Muschamp to Restelli, the Red Raiders had full command of the game and were basically just waiting for the clock to run out.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a statement win for Baylor as they had to go on the road against one of the best teams from the D2-Class AAA ranks and find a way to come out with a win and they did just that!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We still have a long ways to go with the season but Baylor looks like a formidable team that has the talent and overall pieces to play their way to Chattanooga by season's end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hidden Gem Tight End&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Underrated prospects always pop up come season time and this year is no different as Baylor senior tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201093' first='Dalton' last='Restelli'] </strong>looks to be one of those guys and a talent that can play his way into D1 status by the end of the year. Last night against the Tigers, Restelli was almost unstoppable and the key go-to guy for Muschamp that came up with clutch catches throughout the game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Restelli is an athletic guy with nice size and a frame that can take on more weight. He is also versatile to where he can line up with his hand in the dirt or split out wide. The Red Raiders tight end provides a lot of traits to an offense that can be utilized well on the next level and develop into a potent offensive threat.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many around the recruiting scene may not know too much about Restelli at the moment as he had to rehab a season ending injury from last year that kept him out of the offseason mix but trust me when I tell you this guy can play!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for Restelli to become a more highly recruited guy over the coming months as more college coaches catch wind of this tight end and place him high on their boards.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Baylor Has Tons of College Talent&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Going into the 2022 football season, Baylor was seen as a top contender due to how much talent was returning and on Friday evening, the Red Raiders bountiful roster of stars stood out and helped propel this Chattanooga based program to a big road win over Ensworth.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everything starts up front with current Ole Miss commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102315' first='Brycen' last='Sanders']</strong>. The 6'6 offensive tackle has NFL potential written all over him but of course he must continue developing at the proper rate. His imposing presence up front sets the tone for the offensive line but also as well as the rest of the offense too. Sanders is one of the best prospects in this state but he isn't the only future college prospect on the Baylor roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":429270,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/ensworth-baylor-6-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-429270"/><figcaption>Photo: Amanda Ruffing , CSS</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several guys from Friday night stood out, including Restelli, Muschamp, Gravel, Hampton, Princeton commit and athletic defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102248' first='Evan' last='Haynie']</strong>, future underclassmen stars in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207309' first='Joshua' last='Hampton']</strong>, <strong>Max LeBlanc, [player_tooltip player_id='148873' first='Amari' last='Jefferson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219421' first='Cameron' last='Sparks']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Haynie and Sparks in particular were major contributors in the Red Raiders win over Ensworth. Both guys displayed tremendous athleticism as well as playmaking abilities that gave the home Tigers fits throughout the night.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior D-lineman and current Duke commit, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='205281' first='Anthony' last='Boggs'] </strong>had flashes of brilliance as well. He is playing both ways currently but translates best to the next level on defense and he has yet to reach his maximum capabilities.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These Red Raiders are loaded with talent and have all the pieces to make a deep playoff run and come out as D2-Class AAA state champs this year. They still have a tough road to pave through but the senior leadership and talent is there to do something special this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Title Still in Play For Ensworth&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach <strong>Roc Batten </strong>and his Tigers team didn't receive the results they were looking for on Friday night but they shouldn't stress or worry themselves about it as they still have a talented roster and strong senior leadership that can bounce back from this loss to Baylor and still work towards a possible state championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers have a strong senior class to lean on with stars like <strong>Shemar Porter</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215063' first='Caleb' last='Dorris'], [player_tooltip player_id='308674' first='Levi' last='Moore'], Martez Cooksey, Jr</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='273373' first='Mark' last='Smith'] </strong>and others leading the way while sporting a talented group of underclassmen in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149383' first='Mason' last='Curtis'], [player_tooltip player_id='219447' first='Ethan' last='Utley']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219426' first='Sam' last='Haley']</strong> that can contend with the best of the best from the D2-Class AAA ranks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The loss to Baylor should be a nice wakeup call for the Tigers as they were right there with the Red Raiders for a half and competing hard but just didn't have enough firepower to keep up.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The effort was there, the fight in the trenches was there but the endurance wasn't. It also didn't help that the Tigers star quarterback in Moore went out of the game injured early in the 1st quarter but it didn't seem to phase the home team until they ran out of gas in the second half.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football can go in waves, meaning Ensworth can easily bounce back from this loss and right the ship as their championship aspirations are still in sight but they must learn from the defeat and correct their mistakes going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":429269,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/ensworth-baylor-2-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-429269"/><figcaption>Photo: Amanda Ruffing , CSS </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->