Montgomery Bell Academy couldn’t get out of town quickly enough.

Tennessee’s No. 1 high school football team, coming off a Sunday win over nationally renowned Cincinnati Moeller, shaded lopsided underdog Baylor 14-3 to keep its unbeaten season intact at 3-0.

The defending Division II state champion fought through a scoreless first quarter in getting to intermission with a 7-3 lead over the stubborn Red Raiders (1-1).

The Big Red put the game away with a big defensive stand inside their own 10 in the third quarter and a fourth-quarter, 9-yard pass from outstanding quarterback Spencer Wise to Fitz Lassing.

Baylor took the second-half kickoff and swept downfield on the legs of junior running back Sam Williams, reaching a fourth-and-2 at the MBA 9. Quarterback Charlie Wilson completed a pass to David Helton, but the big sophomore came up a yard short.

“It was 7-3 and we had a chance to take the lead. But we didn’t score and they took it down and scored. That was the difference in the game,” Baylor coach Phil Massey said. “I never considered kicking a field goal. We talked about it on the sideline, but I know you don’t beat a team of MBA’s caliber kicking field goals.”

MBA, following the big defensive stop, marched 92 yards behind the running of Dent Shillinglaw and Wise before Shillinglaw punched across from a yard out to give the Big Red their 14-3 margin.

The game won’t go down as one of MBA’s shining moments. It lost three fumbles and an interception after amassing 440 yards of total offense against Moeller.

But part of the reason was Baylor, which grudgingly surrendered 366 yards of total offense.

“We played a heck of a football team and we had our chances. We have to learn to finish games,” Massey said.

The Red Raiders were turned away on their first series following a fumble recovery by Brett Murray at the Big Red’s 29-yard line. However, the first of three interceptions killed the drive at the MBA 9, and the second MBA pick stopped a Baylor march at the Big Red’s 40.

“I was pleased with the offensive line and the defensive front. That’s fewer yards than MBA has had this season,” Massey said.

The Red Raiders leaned heavily on Williams, who skipped football last year to concentrate on soccer. He had his second straight 100-yard performance with 106 yards on 23 carries.

“I’m glad I came back out. I’m having fun. The defense played great and the offensive line made some good blocks. It all starts with the line,” he said. “We can build on this. MBA is supposed to be the best team in the season, and we played with them for four quarters.”

Massey is probably happier than Williams about his return to football.

“Sam has provided us with a lot of punch, quickness and speed,” he said.

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