Baylor could not have started the TSSAA Division II-AA Boys' golf state tournament any hotter.
On Monday, the Red Raiders had five golfers shoot under-par over 18 holes on the River course at the Sevierville Golf Club.
Gary Partrick's team shot its lowest four-man scorecard of the season despite battling a two-hour weather delay. David Schneider Jerez, Sheldon McKnight, Haden Maxwell and Brett Cooper combined to shoot a 280, 8-under-par. They will look to bring home the program's 20th state title as they begin the final round Tuesday with a five stroke lead on Ensworth with McCallie third at 288.
City prep co-champion Schneider Jerez led all locals shooting 69 (-3), as his lone blemish was a bogey on the second hole. He birdied all three par five holes and is in a three-way tie for second place individually. Brentwood Academy's Blades Brown (-8) separated himself from the field with seven birdies and an eagle on No. 18.
Baylor's McKnight and Maxwell each are tied for fifth along with McCallie's Charles Warren as all three shot 70s. McKnight was the individual state champion last year at Manchester's WillowBrook.
Viktor Stallinger and Cooper each shot 71 for the Red Raiders, who only counted Cooper's score to the team tally. McCallie's Jack Martin and Carter Sayman each shot even par.
Walker Valley's Ian Kinsey fired off a 71 (-1) in the Class AA boys' field as he and Ooltewah's Owen Kreuger (even) are in the top 10 heading into the final round.
Baylor's Paula Liano shot a 71, even par in the girls' championship field on The Highlands course in Seveierville. She is tied for first with Jillian Bowman of Lipscomb Academy, which leads the Lady Red Raiders by four strokes in the team standings.
Cleveland's Hannah Nall is tied for seventh in Class AA at 4-over.
After today's conclusion of the AA state championships, Class A and Division II-A will be played in Seveirville on Thursday and Friday.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.