Tennessee HS Football: The Road To A Championship

By: Jay Pace

National Writer

Ondamarcsports.com

This is Part V of a feature series in which we examine Chattanooga area playoff teams and their chances of winning a state championship. 

Today, we assess the nationally ranked Baylor Red Raiders as they aim for a second state title in four years.

CODE RED

The Baylor School (Division II-AAA)

Record 

9-0

Head Coach

Erik Kimrey 

Championship Pedigree

Historically, a solid program with one state title (1973) and four state runner-up finishes, fourth year head coach Erik Kimrey immediately raised the program’s profile when he took the job in 2022. 

All he has done is win, immediately leading Baylor to a second state title in his first season as the Red Raiders head coach.

In the midst of its most successful four year run in school history, Kimrey has ushered in the Golden Era of Baylor football. The program has won games and stockpiled elite talent at  a clip previously unseen in the program's 120-year history.

Of course, as the profile has expanded so have the expectations- ones that manifest themselves on Friday nights in the fall.

Another game, another win, ho hum. Winning is no longer the reward, but rather the expectation. For Baylor, it's championship or bust. There is no consolation prize. The pressure to be perfect every week can exact a toll on a team without the right leadership. 

So far, so good.

Kimrey, who won 12 state titles in a legendary 17 year career in South Carolina, is the only coach in the history of The Palmetto State to win six consecutive state titles.

His current team is the odds-on favorite to win it all in 2025.

All season Baylor has faced the best competition that the southeast region has to offer. Top teams from Florida, Georgia and North Carolina have all made the trek to Heywood Stadium. The Red Raiders have faced a rugged regular season schedule that includes in state powerhouse programs Ensworth and McCallie.

Every opponent circles Baylor on the schedule. Each and every one of them wanting to be the team that beat the team.

In a strange twist Baylor has become both the hunter and the hunted all at the same time.

Why They’re Dangerous

Baylor boasts one of the most talented rosters in the entire country with elite players on both sides of the ball. If The Red Raiders stumble it won't be for lack of talent. 

Offensively, the headliner is junior running back David Gabriel-Georges Tennessee's reigning Mr. Football. Georges, is the X-Factor for the Red Raiders. When healthy DGG is as good as any back in the country. He is a generational talent that pushes Baylor to the front of the pack when discussing legitimate contenders to capture a state crown in Division II-AAA.

And while DGG may be the lead horse, he is far from the only one in Baylor’s stable.

QB Briggs Cherry is one of the best signal callers in the country, piloting an explosive offense loaded with elite skill talent. Tennessee commit Jamyan Theodore and speed merchant Kaiden Dewey are elite, game breaking WRs who have had their share of big moments this season.

Upfront, two of the best offensive linemen in the country - 5-star offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda (Tennessee) and Charlie Edgeworth (Louisville) - anchor a star studded Baylor offense that can score at will.

On defense, Baylor is every bit as loaded as it is on offense. Theodore, a two-way standout, locks down opposing receivers and sets the tone with his physicality. In the secondary, Kolby Barrett (Mississippi State commit) brings range and instincts that erase mistakes before they become points. Up front, the future is now with Braxton Rein, the state’s top 2028 prospect, already causing havoc off the edge with his speed and motor. Together, they headline a veteran, fast, and physical unit that makes every yard feel earned  and every mistake feels fatalities.

In short, this is a loaded roster that can stack up with any across America.

Postseason Path

Baylor’s path to a second state title in four years likely runs through city rival McCallie. 

After receiving a first round bye, Baylor will play Knoxville Catholic tomorrow night at home. A win sets up a semifinal matchup vs the Briarcrest/McCallie winner with a berth in the Division II-AAA championship game on the line. 

Assuming Baylor takes care of Knoxville Catholic - a team it beat 49-28 in the last week of the regular season - things get significantly tougher beginning next week.

Biggest Obstacle

Even with a roster as loaded as this one, the Red Raiders lean heavily on Gabriel-Georges. Ohio St. RB coach Charles Locklyn characterized DGG as  “a physical back who runs with a lot of anger.” 

And while this is what makes him a great runner, it also opens him up to take a lot of shots. An injury that causes him to miss playing time could be catastrophic. As he goes, so does this team and its championship dreams.  

Keeping him healthy and fresh is tantamount to Baylor's success over the next three weeks. Baylor has also struggled with putting good teams away this season when the opportunity was available. Will this trend come back to haunt them this postseason? It's hard to say but definitely worth keeping an eye on. 

Title Odds

Baylor is the odds-on favorite in Division II-AAA to win its second crown in four years. The Red Raiders have the talent, the coaching acumen and a rugged schedule that has prepared them for the toughest battles come November and December. 

At this point, anything less  is a disappointment.