BGA Rolls Over Webb in Season Opener

Football is back and it kicked off in a big way down in Franklin Friday evening where the home BGA Wildcats rolled through Knox. Webb, 68-41 in an impressive offensive showcase that displayed how good this team could potentially be. 

Early on, both teams looked a bit sloppy with their assignments but it’s the first game of the year, so you can expect that but after everybody got comfortable, the Wildcats stars began to shine. Throughout the first quarter, it actually looked like Knox. Webb would be the one in control after two quick scores from standout players Shavar Young, Jr Shavar Young, Jr 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB/WR Knox. Webb | 2026 State TN and Hal Niendorff Hal Niendorff 5'10" | 185 lbs | DB Knox. Webb | 2025 State TN but that would change soon. 

BGA would immediately answer the Spartans by way of junior quarterback Kaedyn Marable Kaedyn Marable 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB BGA | 2026 State TN . The Cats signal caller had a sensational season debut as he scored the first 3 TD’s of the night, doing so by way of his legs. After Marable’s 3rd rushing touchdown, BGA looked to others as junior ball carrier Ethan Kellum Ethan Kellum 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB BGA | 2026 State TN rushed for his 1st of 2 TD’s on the night to put the Wildcats on top, 27-21. 

Things began to click by this point for BGA as they would keep the lead for the remainder of the night. Before reaching the halftime break, the Wildcats would put more points on the board with an outstanding sideline pass from Marable to senior wideout Arnett Hayes, Jr Arnett Hayes, Jr 6'2" | 170 lbs | WR BGA | 2025 State TN and push the lead out to 34-21 before heading to the locker room. 

Even though the Wildcats took a 13 point lead into the break, you thought Webb would re-group, rehydrate and be ready for the 2nd half but that notion got put out the window early. 

The first offensive play from scrimmage BGA resulted in a touchdown as Marable found Hayes, Jr out in the flat and the senior wideout did the rest by maneuvering his way through the Spartans defense until he eventually found the end zone. 

The Wildcats pushed their lead out to 41-21 with all the momentum on their side. They would extend that lead even further with another score on the very next possession and by this point, the end result was all but sewn up. Knox. Webb was simply out of gas and did not have the depth to keep up with BGA but they didn’t quit. 

BGA would continue scoring points into the 4th quarter but so would the Spartans. Led by senior quarterback Cruize Cunningham, the Knox. Webb offense continued to work on their playbook and give experience to their offensive players, even though the game looked over. Cunningham would take his offense down the field multiple times late in the 3rd and early in the 4th to eventually put 41 points on the board. 

Throughout the entire game, the BGA defense showed flashes of excellence but also some leaks. The front seven shows signs of dominance with Nate Fleming Nate Fleming 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL/OL BGA | 2026 State TN , Jayden Cannon Jayden Cannon 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB/EDGE BGA | 2027 State TN , Jack Gregg Jack Gregg 5'11" | 205 lbs | LB BGA | 2026 TN , Park Ballash Park Ballash 5'11" | 195 lbs | LB BGA | 2026 TN , ElGee Webster ElGee Webster 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB BGA | 2025 State TN   and Elijah Fernandez Elijah Fernandez 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB BGA | 2026 State TN being key cogs and flashing outstanding play. The back end is young but talented. Junior defensive back T.O. Otey T.O. Otey 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB BGA | 2025 State TN did a solid job guarding Young, Jr and even had an interception (not against Young) while Locke Kennedy Locke Kennedy 6'3" | 195 lbs | DB/ATH BGA | 2025 State TN showed excellent run support. 

The defense needs more time to gel together but I think in time, the Wildcats could have one of the best defensive units in the greater Mid-Tennessee area.

Knox. Webb looks to be in a transitional year with so many inexperienced or young guys playing starter roles. I think the Spartans will be fine however as they have a dude in Young, Jr, a leader at safety in Niendorff and an athletic, versatile weapon in Gregory Tate Gregory Tate 5'9" | 160 lbs | WR Knox. Webb | 2026 TN to lean on while others come along. 

Overall, this was a great opening performance from BGA and a statement made to everybody else in the D2-Class AA ranks that the Wildcats are legit. The offense is explosive and the defense is athletic. There is a lot of upside residing in this team, so it will be fun to see how they progress throughout the 2024 season.