Brentwood Academy senior Phillip Husband (left) sacks Lipscomb Academy QB Luther Richesson on Friday, Aug. 21 in Brentwood, Tenn. PHIL STAUDER
The Brentwood Academy football team could have pointed to several excuses had it not played well on Friday.
No scrimmages in a shortened preseason. A quarantined head coach. Two lengthy weather delays.
None of that stopped the Eagles from collecting a 29-19 victory over Lipscomb Academy in their rain-soaked season opener at Carlton Flatt Field.
“This team has had to overcome adversity throughout our four years,” Brentwood Academy quarterback Taylor Montiel said. “We’ve had injuries left and right. (Friday’s game) was just another thing we had to get over.”
Defensive coordinator David Norris stepped in for head coach Cody White, who called offensive plays from home while quarantining due to a COVID-19 exposure. White watched a live stream and gave instructions to his team over the phone.
“I took care of the defense, (White) took care of the offense,” Norris said. “Technology – isn’t it something?”
Lightning forced a 40-minute delay just six minutes into the action. One possession after the game resumed, another bolt struck and caused a 30-minute delay. Rain fell throughout the contest, including heavy showers at times.
Brentwood Academy WR Ian Scott catches a pass in front of Lipscomb Academy DB Jordan Jackson on Friday, Aug. 21. Scott scored on the play. PHIL STAUDER
Montiel initially struggled to handle the wet ball in his first game as the full-time starter. But once he got comfortable, so did the Eagle offense.
The senior threw for 175 yards, two touchdowns and completed 14 of 26 attempts. His first score came in the first quarter on a screen pass that Amir Anoor took 23 yards for a touchdown, and the next was a 59-yard bomb to Ian Scott in the third quarter.
“I was not playing well when the game started,” Montiel said. “It was really our first time out there together. But then everything came together. The line started blocking, the receivers made catches and I just did the easy part.”
The Brentwood Academy offensive line had a noticeable size advantage and used it to beat Lipscomb Academy up front. Kaleb Lyons and Jalen Jones each ran for short touchdowns in the second half, and the Eagles rushed for a combined 117 yards on 38 carries.
Lipscomb Academy senior Willie Berris (1) grabs the facemask of Brentwood Academy’s Amir Anoor (1) as Holden Fernandez (12) looks on during a game on Friday, Aug. 21.PHIL STAUDER
“We were controlling the line of scrimmage, which is important,” Norris said. “That’s what we hang our hat on here. We’ve always had good offensive lines, and we expect our guys to dominate the line of scrimmage.”
Lipscomb Academy senior Ryan Young hit a 21-yard field goal in the second quarter to trim the deficit to 7-3 before halftime. Quarterback Luther Richesson threw a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter to Coleman Baker (43 yards) and Daniel Green (40 yards) and finished with 217 yards on 13-of-28 passing, but it came too late for Trent Dilfer’s squad.
The game was part of the first weekend of high school football in Tennessee amid the pandemic. Fans mostly wore masks and underwent required temperature checks and screenings at the entrance.
“These kids need football,” Norris said. “This is good for the school, the community, everybody. We’re so glad we were able to (play).”
Lipscomb Academy’s Carlin Walker walks off the field with an ice pack on his shoulder.PHIL STAUDER
Lipscomb Academy will try to rebound at Pope John Paul II (1-0) next Friday, while Brentwood Academy will make the two-mile trek to Brentwood (1-0) for the first time since 2002.
Montiel said he and his teammates are grateful to be playing and hope to do so for as long as they can. The Eagles are looking for a bounce-back year after missing the playoffs for the first time since 1997 last season.
“We really have no idea what the rest of the season holds for us,” he said. “We’re going to play every game like it’s our last.”
Brentwood Academy players stand for the national anthem on Friday, Aug. 21.PHIL STAUDER
Lipscomb Academy TE Beau Dawson (4) looks for space to run.PHIL STAUDER
Brentwood Academy QB Taylor Montiel looks for an open receiver.PHIL STAUDER
Brentwood Academy’s Kaleb Lyons tries to outrun a Lipscomb Academy defender.PHIL STAUDER
Rain fell throughout the Lipscomb Academy-Brentwood Academy game on Friday, Aug. 21.PHIL STAUDER
Brentwood Academy’s Casen Calmus tries to power through a group of Lipscomb Academy tacklers.PHIL STAUDER
Lipscomb Academy’s Jordan Jackson (6) breaks up a pass intended for Amir Annoor (right). PHIL STAUDER
Lipscomb Academy junior Jack Williamson (48) puts pressure on Taylor Montiel.PHIL STAUDER
Lipscomb Academy players get instruction from a coach. PHIL STAUDER
Lipscomb Academy QB Luther Richesson reaches for an errant snap.PHIL STAUDER
Lipscomb Academy QB Luther Richesson passes in front of Reggie Reed (5).PHIL STAUDER
Brentwood Academy tailback Kaleb Lyons tries to escape a tackle.PHIL STAUDER
Lipscomb Academy QB Luther Richesson stiff arms DJ Senter (87). PHIL STAUDER
Lipscomb Academy junior Chase Allen grabs an interception during the second quarter.PHIL STAUDER
Brentwood Academy senior LB Elijah Oatsvall (left) upends Lipscomb Academy RB Jaden Lyles (right). PHIL STAUDER
Lipscomb Academy coach Trent Dilfer chats with an official on Friday, Aug. 21.PHIL STAUDER
Lipscomb Academy junior Braden Ford carries the ball.PHIL STAUDER
Teagen Lenderink kicks an extra point for Brentwood Academy.PHIL STAUDER
Brentwood Academy’s Casen Calmus (24) tackles Lipscomb Academy RB Jaden Lyles.PHIL STAUDER
Brentwood Academy RB Jalen Jones gets tackled by a Lipscomb Academy defender.PHIL STAUDER
Brentwood Academy senior Amir Annoor (1) stiff arms Lipscomb Academy defender Hunter High (33). PHIL STAUDER
Brentwood Academy QB Taylor Montiel threw for a pair of touchdowns. PHIL STAUDER
Brentwood Academy offensive guard Noah Josey (77) blocks Zach Larkin (9).PHIL STAUDER
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