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.