Four-time defending state champ Brentwood Academy misses playoffs for first time since 1997

For the first time in more than 20 years, Brentwood Academy will not be in the Tennessee high school football playoffs.

Baylor beat the four-time defending state champion Eagles 28-17 on Friday night to wrap up the regular season.

Brentwood Academy (6-4, 2-3 DII-AAA East) had reached the playoffs every year since 1998. The Eagles were ruled ineligible from the postseason in 1997 due to a recruiting violation.

The Eagles' playoff streak was snapped with the loss to Baylor combined with Ensworth's 33-29 upset win of top-ranked win over McCallie and Knoxville Catholic's 38-28 win over Father Ryan.

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"I was proud of how they dealt with what was a bad hand," Brentwood Academy coach Cody White said. "They responded well. There were just a couple plays we didn't make.

"Baylor is an extremely talented team and has a chance to win it all. But at Brentwood Academy, it's not about moral victories."

Brentwood Academy played without leading rusher Jordan James. The sophomore withdrew from school on Wednesday after rushing for 238 yards on 42 carries in a 30-20 win over Ensworth the week prior. He had 1,099 yards for the season.

"I'm disappointed for our senior class," White said. "They had a good four years. This loss doesn't take away from that."

Brentwood Academy would have been the second seed from the East Region with a win over Baylor. But the Eagles had to beat Baylor after Ensworth upset McCallie to make the postseason.

"Division II-AAA football is like the SEC," Ensworth coach Roc Batten said. "Everyone is beating each other."

Gerard Bullock was a part of all five of Ensworth's touchdowns. He was 8-for-19 for 116 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions. He also ran for 64 yards and had two touchdowns

Ensworth, the third seed from the East Region, plays at second-seed Briarcrest on Nov. 15 in the Division II-AAA quarterfinals.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.