Baylor's Mekos Baker runs in a touchdown catch during a scrimmage against Brainerd this month.Division II-AAA East/Middle // Heywood Stadium, 171 Baylor School Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37405
At the helm
Phil Massey
(84-47 in 11 years here; 146-83 overall)
Heroes assemble!
The Red Raiders return 6 off., 5 def. starters.
Super powers
There likely isn't a more talented or experienced secondary in the area, led by University of Tennessee commitment Brendon Harris (6-2, 205) at FS and fellow FBS prospect Jaylon Baker (6-2, 170) at CB. The kicking game should be solid as well again, with all Ks and LSs returning.
Possible kryptonite
The Red Raiders must find replacements for four starters among the defensive front six. They will need several young players to step up at those positions to help stuff the run against several teams with dangerous ground games. On offense, they have to replace three WRs.
Spidey sense tingling
After playing for state titles in 2010 and 2011, Baylor has reached the state semifinals each of the past three seasons, establishing itself as one of the state's top programs regardless of classification. The Red Raiders return several all-state caliber players - at the skill positions and along both lines - and have a few newcomers who are expected to make their names known this year and help them continue their string of deep playoff runs.
Here I come to save the day!
At least four seniors are considered college prospects - Harris, Baker, OL Walker Culver (6-5, 280) and TE Mike Benning (6-2, 225), as well as OL Riley Bodine (6-0, 255). That's some serious talent in one class. Combine those guys with a junior class headed by QB Lorenzo White (6-3, 180), DL Christian Harris (6-3, 285) and LB Cooper Lewis (6-3, 210), and it's understandable why college scouts will flock to watch Baylor this fall.
Up, up and away!
There is certainly enough talent for Baylor to once again make a deep playoff run, and possibly even return to the title game.
The Red Raiders will certainly be playoff-tested, with this year's schedule becoming much tougher as the Red Raiders replaced Brainerd, Howard, Red Bank and Rhea County - public-school teams they beat by an average score of 44-3 last year - with Division II playoff teams Knox Catholic and Notre Dame, as well as Peach State powerhouse Marist.
Baylor does get fledgling Chattanooga Christian midway through the season in what should be the only true mismatch on this year's slate. But after that, the regular season concludes with three of the top four Division II-AAA teams in the state - at two-time defending state champion Brentwood Academy and against rival McCallie and MBA, all of whom beat the Red Raiders last year.
"We will definitely learn where our weaknesses are, where we'll have to get better, with some of the teams we play early on this year," Massey said. "Brendon is a difference-maker for us, so we moved him to running back to make sure he has the ball in his hands more often. He'll return kicks for us, too, so he won't be coming off the field much. I think Lorenzo has the chance to really become a leader for us after getting so much experience as a young guy last year, and I think we've got some young guys who are anxious to prove themselves."
2016 Results
Aug. 19 Rhea County won, 35-0
Aug. 26 Red Bank won, 47-7
Sep. 2 Ensworth won, 17-7
Sep. 9 Howard won, 38-6
Sep. 16 Brentwood Academy lost, 35-0
Sep. 23 Brainerd won, 56-0
Sep. 30 McCallie lost, 42-7
Oct. 14 Pope John Paul II lost, 21-19
Oct. 21 MBA lost, 31-10
Oct. 28 Father Ryan won, 34-7
Nov. 4 Pope John Paul II won, 35-20 (first round)
Nov. 11 MUS won, 16-12 (quarterfinals)
Nov. 18 Brentwood Academy lost, 38-3 (semifinals)
8-5, 2-4 Division II-AA East/Middle
2017 Schedule
(All times 7:30 Eastern unless noted)
Aug. 17 Notre Dame at Finley Stadium
Aug. 25 Knoxville Catholic
Sep. 1 at Marist (Ga.)
Sep. 8 at Ensworth, 8
Sep. 15 Pope John Paul II
Sep. 22 at Chattanooga Christian, 7
Sep. 29 at Brentwood Academy, 8
Oct. 13 McCallie
Oct. 20 at Father Ryan, 8
Oct. 27 Montgomery Bell Acad.
Division II-AAA East/Middle games in bold