Brentwood Academy lost quarterback Dawson Knox and defensive end Jordan James to injuries in a season-opening 31-14 win at Memphis University School on Friday.
Knox broke his ankle in the third quarter and James broke his foot.
“We’ll be without (Dawson) for a while and it’s very unfortunate because he played extremely well and we’re hoping to get him back way before the end of the season,” Eagles coach Cody White said. “He broke a play down the sideline and got hit on the side with a helmet on his ankle.”
Knox completed 9-of-17 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown in his first game as the starter. He was Tyler Swafford’s backup last season.
“He’s a great kid and he’s worked hard in his senior year, and he’s expecting big things.” White said. “It wasn’t in the Lord’s plan, so we’re hopefully going to get him back for a chance at the playoffs.”
White said he may return in time for the regular-season finale at Ensworth on Oct. 31.
Knox underwent surgery Tuesday morning.
Jeremiah Oatsvall and Thomas Swafford filled in for Knox as both passed for 31 yards.
“They’ll both play this week and we have a lot of confidence in both of those young men,” White said. “We don’t feel like we’ll miss a beat. We’ll miss Dawson, but the rest of the guys will fill in and we’ll be fine.”
It was a crushing blow for Knox, who has offers from Air Force, Austin Peay and Cornell, according to 247 Sports.
“He was devastated,” White said. “He’s waited in the wings and played wide receiver for us last year and backed up at quarterback for Tyler, and did everything he needed to do to make us have a ton of confidence in what he was going to be this year. It’s the one part of this game I don’t like.”
James (6-3, 270), who started last year, will be out for one month.
“He’s a really good player,” White said. “It’s just the way this game works sometimes. There’s nothing you can plan for, nothing you can do about it. It’s unfortunate for the kids.”
BA hosts Liberty Tech in Friday’s opener. Liberty beat defending Class 5A champ Henry County 21-14 last week.
