Ensworth Tigers
Photo by John Pratt
The 8th Annual MaxPreps Football Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard, made a stop on Friday, Jan. 25 to recognize the three-time state championship
Ensworth High School football team in Nashville, Tenn. Ensworth finished No. 9 nationally, with a perfect record of 13-0, out of more than 16,000 high school varsity football teams according to the MaxPreps Freeman Rankings. This football powerhouse had also finished 12th in 2011 and 28th in 2010 on the MaxPreps Tour of Champions.
The award presentation took place between the girls and the boys basketball games in the beautiful Ensworth Gymnasium. Sergeant First Class Jay Johnson of the Tennessee Army National Guard displayed the ‘Minuteman' trophy proudly for all guests to see in the gym lobby. The Tour of Champions commemorative t-shirts were handed out to the football players so they could wear them for the presentation that night. There was a big crowd attending, along with two local television stations from Nashville, who covered the Tour of Champions ceremony.
When the girls game ended, the football team members were asked to come to center court. Then MaxPreps representative Dean Craig took the microphone and shared how MaxPreps determines the team rankings for the Tour of Champions, and reminded the audience of the tremendous accomplishments of the Ensworth football team and head coach Ricky Bowers.
Craig then introduced SFC Johnson to a rousing ovation, as he congratulated the team on their great season. Coach Bowers could not be present for the presentation because of other responsibilities, which includes being the Ensworth head boys basketball coach. In Coach Bowers' absence, SFC Johnson asked the seniors to come forward to accept the Army National Guard national ranking trophy. The crowd cheered as the boys hoisted the trophy into the air and posed with the prestigious trophy. As the football players made their way back to the stands, SFC Johnson followed them into a frenzy of excited students that made up the student section.
What an exciting night to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the Tigers football team!
