Road Eagles Overwhelm Brentwood (Game Recap/Top Performers)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brentwood Academy can take bragging rights into the next year as "the" home town team after defeating the cross-town Bruins on Friday evening, 45-21. The Eagles commanded the game early and never looked back. It was an impressive win by the road team that showed potential as a possible state title contending squad.</h2>     - The battle for Brentwood went to the road team on Friday night as the Eagles nearly dominated in their 45-21 win over the home Bruins. Brentwood Academy came ready to play as they produced touchdowns on their first three offensive drives of the game and never looked back. It was an impressive start from the road team, especially from their playmakers, who gave fits to the Bruins defense.    The key towards the big start for Brentwood Academy was the play and running from junior ball carrier [player_tooltip player_id='723428' first='Larry' last='Sanders II']. The Eagles running back established himself with one of his early runs ending in the end zone for his first score of the night. The Bruins defense had a hard time dealing with Sanders.    They also had problems with the Eagles receivers. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='378855' first='Kesean' last='Bowman'] produced the first score of the game with a nice grab in the end zone from quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='834810' first='Crews' last='Jenkins']. Fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='1410131' first='Lexton' last='Baskin'] also had an easy time getting open, generating multiple first half receptions.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ESBN_BA/status/1961592966809632900 </div></figure>   Before you knew it, Brentwood Academy was up 24-0 after a 59 yard field goal from [player_tooltip player_id='1648916' first='Tommy' last='Bauchiero'] and it looked like the Eagles would run away with the game but the Bruins fought back. The home team was able to claw out a few scores before half after multiple touchdown passes from Brentwood sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='904978' first='Gavin' last='Strang'].    The score was 24-14 headed into the break. It looked like Brentwood was back in the game with a shot at making things interesting but the Eagles reset everything and came out in the second half to make another statement and take control of the contest.    Brentwood Academy struck quickly out of the locker room with a three and out force by their defense then a fast offensive drive, capped off by a ten yard rushing touchdown from Wyatt Luedtke. The Eagles didn't wait long to push their lead forward. Their next offensive drive produced a touchdown with Jenkins finding Bowman yet again to make it 38-14.    The second receiving touchdown of the night for Bowman was impressive as he made a tough, contested catch in the corner of the end zone with a defender draped all over him. The Eagles junior wideout definitely showed why he is one of the top college prospects in the state, regardless of age or grade. Brentwood Academy may actually have one of the best receiving corps in Tennessee with Bowman, Baskin and [player_tooltip player_id='1118087' first='Eli' last='Ferguson'].    After taking a 38-14 lead, the Eagles pretty much had the game in-hand and basically needed to secure the ball and run out the clock for the victory. For most of the night, Brentwood Academy owned the line of scrimmage and I think that played a big role in setting the tone and pushing the team to 2-0. Really thought the Eagles O-line performed at a high level, especially potential college guys in [player_tooltip player_id='1588851' first='Daniel' last='Payne'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1700869' first='Xavier' last='Yelder'].    If the Bruins had a bright spot in this game, it was the play of junior [player_tooltip player_id='1595026' first='Parker' last='Emerson']. He was one guy on the Brentwood offense that flashed potential. Emerson was the lone playmaker the Eagles had to account for and work to keep in-check. I will definitely scout Emerson harder going forward as I see college upside for him at both receiver or safety.    As we got into the 4th quarter, the Eagles had control and were just bidding their time for the final whistle to blow. After making several defensive stops, Brentwood Academy went on one last scoring drive with Sanders producing his second rushing touchdown of the night to put the Eagles ahead 45-14. Out of everybody I scouted in this game, Sanders might have moved the needle further than anybody and boosted his recruiting stock.    The Bruins didn't quit as they generated a touchdown on their final drive with Emerson handling quarterback and finding tight end Cooper Mullins in the end zone for the score. It was good to see Brentwood continue fighting, even with the outcome already in-hand. The Bruins are young but compete hard and I expect them to remain in the mix for a region title this Fall.    It was an impressive showing from the Eagles, who look like a potential D2-Class AAA state title contender. They are loaded on offense with college talent at every position and their defense is pretty solid too. If they can receive good play on the defensive line throughout the season, I can see the Eagles going on a long playoff run that might end in Chattanooga.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/bafootball.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1861546" style="width:268px;height:auto" /></figure>   Player of the Game    I first got the chance to scout Sanders at our Prep Redzone Tennessee combine earlier this year and he was impressive then but Friday night against Brentwood might have been some of the best I've seen from him yet. The Eagles junior ball carrier was difficult to handle for the Bruins defense due to his compact frame, powerful running and determination to not go down. Sanders ran through the Brentwood defense all night long on his way to nearly 200 yards rushing and two touchdowns. This performance definitely boosted his stock in my eyes, pushing himself closer to the top of the board for running backs coming out of the TN2027 class.    - - - - -   The Next Best …….     Bowman didn't haul in a lot of receptions in this matchup but the ones he made were impressive and important. The Eagles junior wideout produced two receiving touchdowns on the night with both being tough, contested catches. This Oregon commit displayed excellent body control and concentration along with a tenacity and want-to with the ball in the air. Bowman is a competitor that works hard for the ball. His route running to me is his best trait right now and he showed that off on several occasions. Bowman proved to be a matchup problem throughout the night as the Bruins had to eventually double team him.     Explosive and dynamic after the catch are the two main things that stood out about Baskin and his work Friday night versus the Bruins. This junior wideout might have been the most athletic guy on the field alongside other top level athletes. Baskin is fast with the ability to separate after the catch. His speed is his best trait but he showed the ability to make tough receptions as well as in the 1st Baskin hauled in a touchdown reception with Brentwood defenders all over him. The Eagles pass catcher also showed his upside on special teams as a return guy with several breakaway runs.     The Bruins had a tough night on both sides of the ball but one guy that stood out for them was this junior playmaker that flashed college potential throughout the evening. Emerson was one guy the Eagles had a tough time dealing with. He played receiver for most of the game, producing several tough catches but took over quarterback duties in the 4th quarter. Emerson took the Bruins on a semi-long drive that ended with him throwing a touchdown pass. This is a versatile, natural athlete that runs well while sporting upside to develop into a possible college receiver or safety prospect.    - - - - - - - - - -   Other Top Performers   (DL) Brody Belville - Brentwood Academy: This senior defender was the most active from the Eagles defensive line on Friday night. Belville did a good job of getting off blocks and disrupting plays in the backfield, both against the run and the pass. Several occasions, the Eagles D-lineman was right there to tackle the ball carrier when he was getting the ball. Belville is undersized but highly active with a strong motor.    ‘27 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='903953' first='Jones' last='Merrill'] - Brentwood: Merrill did some solid work in the Bruins loss on Friday night. He didn't do anything flashy but he was consistent, getting open and providing his quarterback a safe target to throw at. The Bruins junior wideout is quick out of the blocks and fast into his route, which is an area he shows early maturity. Merrill displayed the ability to get open. He needs to continue getting bigger but I like his college potential in the slot.    ‘27 (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1700869' first='Xavier' last='Yelder'] - Brentwood Academy: The Eagles O-line had a strong night with Yelder leading the way for me as the top guy. He was physical from start to finish with a tenacity that stood out. Yelder did a good job of getting off the snap fast and driving his man off the ball, opening run lanes all night for Sanders. He also did solid work in pass protection, handling tackle duties. This was the first time really scouting Yelder and I liked what I saw and his potential for the next level.    ‘27 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1585726' first='Kenneth' last='Simon'] II - Brentwood Academy: It took some time for Simon to show up but when he did, he flashed in a big way, making two huge second half plays. The Eagles junior linebacker stalled a Bruins drive with a sack then made an athletic interception near the sideline. Simon is a good athlete that fits well at the second level of the defense where he can play in space but also work against the opponent's run game.    ‘28 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='904978' first='Gavin' last='Strang'] - Brentwood: Going through his second career high school start, Strang had his moments of struggle but overall, I thought this sophomore signal caller performed pretty well while displaying his potential for the future. Standing 6 '5 with deceptive mobility, Strang had to maneuver the pocket all night but kept his eyes down field, looking for the open receiver. More times than not, he completed the pass, including several clutch throws late in the 1st half to keep his team in the game. Strang has a lot of development to go but I certainly like what I see from this rising underclassman.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/xyelder.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1861552" style="width:286px;height:auto" /></figure>