By Zachary Harmuth
This was inevitable, wasn’t it? BA, the only team to beat Ensworth this year, was always going to have to win a rematch at some point to take home a state title.
This Friday, in the Division II Class AA semifinals, the rematch is on at Ensworth
Ensworth had won 29 games in a row, before BA beat them 36-10 on November 1. But this Friday night at Ensworth, BA can count on one thing: Ensworth will not turn the ball over six times, like it did in their last meeting.
And if BA hopes to see the same result, it will have to have a similar game from its leaders.
In that game, wide receiver C.J. Sanders caught 8 passes for 100 yards, and scored a touchdown running and receiving.
Tyler Swafford played almost perfectly, completing 19 of 29 for 211 yards and 2 touchdowns. BA also needs receivers Brandin Taylor and Tanner Priest to chip in significantly like they have all year.
Of course, on the ground, Shon Lumpkin and Shawn Brashers must pull the sled like they have all year, or else the defense will focus completely on shutting down BA’s dangerous air attack.
But Ensworth has a potent offense of its own, and BA must find a way to stop it like it did a few weeks ago.
There is probably little chance of holding Ensworth to 10 again, because so much of that came from Ensworth making mistakes, so limiting them to 20 could probably be considered successful.
To do that, look for a big game from Derek Barnett. He leads BA in tackles for loss with 15.5 and sacks with 5.5. He is a force to be reckoned with in the box.
The winner of this game will play the winner of MBA vs MUS for the state Class AA Division II State Championship.
