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Spring outlook: Lipscomb Academy coach Kevin Mawae has lofty, realistic expectations for his first year in Nashville high school football




Lipscomb Academy head coach Kevin Mawae at their spring game on Friday, May 12, 2023.

Editor’s note: Main Street Preps is writing 2023 spring outlooks for teams that finished in the top five of the final MSP poll of 2022. This week is No. 1 Lipscomb Academy. Read the previous installations on No. 2 Oakland, No. 3 MBA, No. 4 Brentwood Academy and No. 5 Beech.

Lipscomb Academy football coach Kevin Mawae had his team’s attention during the last huddle of spring football. 

Following the Mustangs’ final scrimmage, Mawae assured players they still have one of if not the most talented rosters in the state. He didn’t shy away from saying they could defeat national power IMG Academy in their blockbuster August home opener. 

He’s also grounded in reality, understanding that the game with IMG — and a slew of tougher opponents as the Mustangs move up to Division II-AAA — will present challenges for a program that has gotten accustomed to winning every game by a wide margin. 

“They do embrace that challenge (of a more difficult schedule),” Mawae said. “But one challenge is getting them to understand that this isn’t the same old Lipscomb. We’re moving up. We might not win by 70 points. We might have to win from behind. 

“When you’ve had this much success, if (losing) were to happen it becomes, how is this team going to overcome that?”

The Mustangs, winners of back-to-back Division II-AA state titles, went 13-0 last year and won by an average of 38 points. They went 26-1 over the past two seasons under coach Trent Dilfer. 

They return yet another loaded group of college prospects. 

But there are also some new faces, in addition to Mawae’s. Offensively, the Mustangs graduated quarterback Hank Brown (Auburn), receiver Nate Spillman (Tennessee) and receiver/running back Junior Sherrill (Vanderbilt). 

“They’ve done a great job buying in. A lot of it is getting to trust the new coaches through the transition and me trusting them,” Mawae said. “That’s the football part. This (spring football) is what I’ve been building toward since I got hired. But my job is more than just X’s and O’s, it’s about nurturing these kids to be great men.” 

Mawae said the new landscape doesn’t change Lipscomb’s goal of winning a third consecutive state title. But he wants players to understand that dominating every team on the schedule is not only difficult but besides the point. 

Advancing to and winning the last game is the most important. 

“Part of that is getting them to trust our process, trust what we’re trying to accomplish and trust one another,” Mawae said. 

Key returning players: Kaleb Beasley, DB, Sr.; Dillon Lorick, WR, Sr.; Edwin Spillman, LB, Sr.; Ian Carrethers, LB, Sr.; Kam Ward, WR, Sr.; Andy Smith, TE, Sr.; Beau Smith, OL, Sr.; Jace Williamson, DB, Sr.; Jackson Kilburg, QB, Jr.; Jon Adair, OL, Jr.; CJ Jimcoily, DB, Jr.; Tony Carter, DL, Jr.; Chauncey Gooden, OL, Jr.; Amir Leonard-Jean Charles, DL, Jr.; Kris Thompson, LB, Jr.; Aidan Wright, LB, Jr. 

Key departures: Junior Sherrill, WR/DB; Nate Spillman, WR; Hank Brown, QB. 

Notable 2022 statistic(s): Won three playoff games last season by a combined 163-20. … In 13 games, averaged 441.3 yards of offense while allowing 171.5 yards per game. 

Circle the calendar: Lipscomb Academy vs. IMG Academy, Aug. 18