Ensworth and Baylor To Face Off in Cookeville

Where: Tennessee Tech -Tucker Stadium

When: 7PM

Media: PBS (Comcast channel 8), EnsworthLive.com, 560 AM

Records: EHS 9-2 (6-1) Baylor 10-1 (6-1)

After losing their best player, an 0-2 start and a QB change, Ensworth has managed to find themselves in the DII-AA State Championship game with the Baylor Red Raiders. Baylor has only lost once this season and that loss was to the Tigers in Chattanooga.

Out of the 6 Mr. Football finalist in DII-AA, 3 of them are playing in this game; Corn Elder, Keenan Crenshaw and the winner, Jacob Huesman.

How these teams got here...

Since losing to MBA, Ensworth has averaged 31.4 points per game on offense. Senior QB Drew Parker came and took over at QB after the loss to MBA and has broken about every school passing record in the process. Sophomore RB Corn Elder has been nothing short on sensational; Corn has rushed for 1,768 yards and 23 TDs. On the line Seniors Keenan Crenshaw, Taylor Grant and Chance Williams have stepped up big after Antonio Richardson withdrew from school.

Baylor is led by their Senior QB Jacob Huesman. The Mr. Football winner has passed for 1,078 yards and 7 TDS and rushed for 1,750 yards and 25 TDS. Huesman's primary target is Matthew Oellerich with 29 rec. In the backfield is Freshman RB George Porter, who has rushed for 952 yards and 9 TDS. Baylor's defense is led by Senior LB David Helton, who has racked up 115.5 tackles in all 11 games. Baylor's defense only gives up an average of a mere 19 points a game.

Last time these two teams met Corn Elder took control of the game. Elder scored 4 TDs (2 rushing, 1 receiving and a 80 yard punt return). David Dingess and Cory Batey both had good nights receiving while Drew Parker threw for 239 yards and 2 TDs on only 18 attempts.

Jacob Huesman did it all for Baylor, scoring all 4 of the Red Raider's TDs, one was a 61 yarder. The defense could not stop Elder and got beat deep by Drew Parker on many occasions.

For Ensworth to win this game they have to get Corn Elder the ball my all means necessary. Once the Tigers establish a run game they should be able to air it out. Last time Baylor's secondary gave Ensworth's WRs too much room to work. On defense, Ensworth has to contain Jacob Huesman which is a lot easier said than done, he committed to UTC where his dad coaches and believe me, there are a lot more schools than UTC that this kid can play for.

Baylor has to keep Elder in check and so far, no team has been able to do so since Ensworth played BA in September. They also cannot allow Ensworth to beat them deep through the air like they did last time, getting pressure on Drew Parker is key to stopping the Tiger's passing attack.

Prediction: I don't really have one, I can see this going either way but I like Ensworth's chances.