Having lost six starters from last year's defense, including the state's Mr. Football for Division II, Baylor football coach Phil Massey knew there were questions on that side of the ball.
Consider those questions answered after the way the Red Raiders dominated Rhea County's offense in a 35-0 win Friday night at Heywood Stadium. It's only the second time in the last 48 games that the Eagles have been shut out, and they crossed midfield just twice against the Red Raiders.
"What an outstanding job by that whole defensive side of the ball," Massey said. "A lot of people weren't real sure how good we could be without Ryan Parker and some of those guys we lost. I think the defensive guys took that as a challenge and really wanted to come out and prove something against a really good team."
Baylor forced three turnovers and two led directly to first-half points. On the fifth play of the game, the Red Raiders recovered a fumble at midfield, and three plays later sophomore quarterback Lorenzo White connected with Gunnar Ricketts on a 26-yard touchdown pass.
White and junior Trusten McArtor alternated each series, and on Baylor's next possession it was McArtor's turn to throw a 26-yard scoring pass, this one to Tate Prater, capping a nine-play drive.
Baylor defensive back Jaylon Baker put an exclamation on an impressive first half by scooping a fumble and returning it 56 yards for a TD with just 41 seconds remaining before halftime to put the hosts in charge 21-0.
"I dedicated this game to my uncle," said Baker, who explained that his uncle Justin Tremble had died three months ago in a motorcycle accident. "He meant a lot to me and we lost him. He would've loved to see me play like that tonight. Hopefully he was watching and got to see me."
In his varsity debut, White tossed his second TD pass of the night early in the fourth quarter, this time a 56-yarder to Ricketts, and finished his night's work completing all three passes, two for scores, and rushing for 51 yards.
"It was good just to get out there and get the nerves out of the way early," said White, the son of former University of Tennessee All-America defensive back Chris White from Bradley Central, who led the nation in interceptions during the Vols' 1985 Sugar Bowl run.
"Having both those guys alternate is good for us because it makes both of them come ready with their A-game," Massey said. "We're fortunate to have two guys at quarterback that we feel confident in."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.