The Baylor School football team did exactly what it needed to in the first half Friday against three-time defending state champion Brentwood Academy - keep the game close.
Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, the No. 2-ranked Eagles posted 20 unanswered second-half points for a 35-7 Division II-AAA East/Middle Region win at Heywood Stadium.
Brentwood Academy (6-0, 3-0) leaned on two main rushers in gaining more than 300 yards on the ground and handing Baylor (3-4, 1-2) its fourth loss of the season before the Red Raiders' off week and rivalry game against McCallie on Oct. 12.
"It's disappointing right now," coach Phil Massey said after Baylor's three-game winning streak was snapped. "We really haven't found any identity on offense and we're continuing to shoot ourselves in the foot with turnovers. You're not going to beat good teams with that combination."
In its first two possessions, Brentwood Academy showed it had outstanding talent and a little bit of luck on its side. The Eagles forced a three-and-out on the first possession of the game and then proceeded to march 63 yards downfield on seven plays that ended in a 6-yard rushing touchdown for freshman Jordan James. Then after another Red Raiders three-and-out, Eagles quarterback Wade Williams threw a ball over the middle that deflected backward off the helmet of a receiver and right into the hands of a waiting Jack Victory for the score.
Baylor's answer came late in the second quarter when Brentwood Academy attempted to convert a fourth-and-short situation. The Eagles' fullback gained enough yards for the first down, but before the play was called dead, defensive back Riley Jenne stripped the ball carrier and sprinted 73 yards for the Red Raiders' only score of the game.
"We have to build off the positive things. I saw some good things tonight against a high-caliber team," Massey said. "We need to realize that we aren't there yet, and the only way I know how to get better is work harder."
Senior running back Mario Pleasant led Brentwood Academy with 139 yards rushing. Just behind him was James with 118. Baylor totaled just 127 yards of offense as a team.
Contact John Mitchell at sports@timesfreepress.com.