For Brentwood Academy and Ensworth, playing out-of-state teams isn’t just about playing top competition.
Ensworth coach Ricky Bowers (left) and Brentwood Academy coach Cody White
It has also become a necessity.
“The primary reason is that we can’t get teams around here to play us,” Ensworth coach Ricky Bowers said.
The Tigers, coming off their first losing season in program history, will host a pair of out-of-state opponents to start the season. That includes Trinity (Ky.) on Aug. 19, followed by Madison Academy (Ala.) on Aug. 26.
Brentwood Academy faces a similar situation this fall.
The defending Division II-AA state champions will face out-of-state schools in three of their first four games, including Olive Branch (Miss.) on Aug. 19, Trinity (Ky.) on Aug. 26 and A+ Academy (Texas) on Sept. 9.
“The phone hasn’t been ringing off the hook with people wanting to play us,” Brentwood Academy coach Cody White said. “We can’t find people in state to play us.”
Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports