ENSWORTH TIGERS (4-0, 1-0) at BAYLOR RED RAIDERS (4-0, 2-0)
Tonight, 7:30
Last time: Ensworth won 28-21 in last year’s Division II-AA state final.
This time: Ensworth’s scoring defense so far has been superior to that of its title team when the Tigers gave up at least 14 points to 10 of 11 opponents. Fourteen is this season’s high allowed, and they’ve registered two shutouts. The Red Raiders want to keep Ensworth’s explosive offense on the sideline as much as possible. That means they need time-consuming scoring marches. Ensworth coach Ricky Bowers said every close game is decided by turnovers and penalties and thinks this one has that kind of potential.
Time to shine: Ensworth needs a huge perfornance from junior RB and returner Corn Elder, and usually gets one. He’s rushed for 580 yards, averaging almost 10 yards per carry. Coach’s son Andrew Bowers is a junior QB and has completed 26 of 45 passes for 525 yards. He’s thrown for eight TDs and Elder has run for eight. FB Austin Prevost is Elder’s primary lead blocker and had 96 tackles at LB last year. Baylor returns its offensive line — four seniors and a junior — intact. LT Barrett Gouger and C Chase Beard are three-year starters. QB Matthew Ollerich has a stable of RBs to turn to, and he’s produced 80-yard scoring runs against Bradley Central and Montgomery Bell Academy. In addition to having several touchbacks on kickoffs, Henrique Ribeiro has made a 57-yard FG. Andrew Priddy has boomed a 62-yard punt.