Bellevue's modified Wing-T would be the wild card in a matchup with Ensworth.
Photo by Jeff Napier
Outback Bowl, Michigan vs. South Carolina
High school equivalent: Bellevue (Wash.) vs.
Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.)Rankings (Xcellent 25, MaxPreps Freeman Rankings): Ensworth 11, 9; Bellevue 6, 5
A team from a cold-weather state taking on a physically impressive team from SEC territory, Bellevue vs. Ensworth is the high school version of the Outback Bowl.
For both teams, 2012 was arguably the best season in program history.
Bellevue hosted a powerhouse from Big 12 territory - Euless Trinity - and came away
with an early victory that set the tone for the rest of its season. Head coach Butch Goncharoff's squad was extremely precise running its modified Wing-T and, with the likes of
Myles Jack and
Bishard "budda" Baker, had athletes that thrived in the system.
Defensively, the team posted six shutouts and allowed one touchdown or fewer in five other games.
Ensworth entered the season with great hype and delivered in a big way. After escaping with a season-opening win over Memphis University, it was extremely consistent in dispatching local competition with relative ease. In the Division II-AA title game, the Tigers notched another victory over Memphis University, this time by a margin of 31-14.
Like Goncharoff, Ricky Bowers is a highly respected coach who had many pieces to work with. Topping the list is
Cornelius Elder, who carried 286 times for 2,617 yards and a whopping 36 touchdowns.
While super sophomore
Rico McGraw was the marquee name in the secondary, it was senior
Justin Lloyd who really shined with six interceptions and three forced fumbles for a defense that has helped Ensworth win 21 consecutive games.
Ensworth would have an overall speed advantage, but it would be close. Ensworth is too talented on offense and would find ways to score on Bellevue's defense. But could it consistently force Bellevue to punt?
MaxPreps Computer projection (neutral field): Ensworth 26, Bellevue 24
