MaxPreps 2012 Preseason Xcellent 25 Football preview: No. 22 Ensworth

With back-to-back state titles in Tennessee’s Division II-AA and the potential to be even better this year, Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.) has the makings of a bona fide dynasty.

It makes sense that Ensworth is rising on the national scene. The level of talent in Tennessee - Nashville in particular - continues to improve. Not only does Ensworth get its share of those top players, but head coach Ricky Bowers does an outstanding job guiding them at the helm.

MaxPreps Preseason Top 25 High School Football Early Contenders

This year’s team returns do-everything senior Cornelius Elder. An SEC-caliber recruit, Elder is a shifty running back who catches the ball well out of the backfield. He’s a gifted athlete who also stars in the secondary as well as on the basketball court.



Quarterback Andrew Bowers also returns after throwing for 1,800 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior. Receiver Myles Pasley will have to replace the production lost by Cory Batey, but he’s experienced and a receiver that Bowers trusts.

The offensive line, which was remarkably young last season, returns the likes of Jay Heins, Nick Brown, Xavier Forrest and Parker Wade, will be a strength of this year’s team and should allow Elder to break many long runs.

The depth at the position may mean that 6-foot-5 sophomore Greg McCloud will be a backup, a luxury that most teams can’t afford, given the type of promise that McCloud has.

On the defensive line, Shoman White and Cody Pack are back, while the linebacker unit features Brennan Washington, Anthony Batey and Andrew Freeland.

The secondary, with Elder and Justin Lloyd, will also be very strong. Watch for Rico McGraw, a sophomore with an Alabama offer, to see some action.

Overall, this is a team with few weaknesses. Should it play to its potential and avoid hiccups (like last year’s regular-season loss to Baylor), it could soar up the rankings.



Local look: “The 'unfinished business' for Baylor's football team remains unfinished.”
- John Hunt, Chattanoogan, after Ensworth beat Baylor in the state title game for the second year in a row.

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Size: Division II-AA


Enrollment: 1,050 (approx.)


2011 finish: 12-1, Division II-AA state champion


Head coach: Ricky Bowers


Career record: 132-26




Years at school: 9


Notable players coached:
OL Antonio Richardson (Tennessee)

TE Sam Cooper (Clemson)

WR Corey Batey (Vanderbilt)

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No. of returning starters: 8 (offense), 7 (defense)



Key losses:
WR Cory Baty

RB/LB Austin Prevost

TE/LB Keshonn Carter

Key returners:
QB Andrew Bowers

RB/DB Corn Elder

OL Jay Heins



Key newcomers:
WR/DB Rico McGraw

OL Greg McCloud

ATH Larich Howse


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Toughest game: Brentwood Academy. A traditional Nashville power, Brentwood Academy is teeming with outstanding athletes and should challenge Ensworth in a possible preview of a playoff showdown.

Question mark: Will the team’s youth live up to expectations? Sure, there is fine senior leadership on this team, as well as plenty of experience. But for this team to be truly elite, it will need major contributions from young, untested players.

Local outlook: Ensworth is pretty clearly the top team in Nashville as well as all of Tennessee. Locally, as-mentioned Brentwood will push Ensworth, while Maryville and Memphis Whitehaven could also challenge for top honors in the state.

Overall outlook: There is so much to like about this Ensworth squad: key skill players, a solid offensive line, lots of returning defensive starters and most importantly, a coach who’s gotten the job done before. More than anything, this will be a very fun team to watch. Its offense should score plenty of points while its defense has the potential to be suffocating. This team has undefeated season-potential, which makes it even more unfortunate it won’t get an opportunity to test its mettle in a major out-of-state game.

Coach quote: “I believe we’re going to have maybe our best team ever.”
- Paul Wade, assistant coach



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