Hendersonville Standard
HENDERSONVILLE WEATHER

MSP Top 25: Lipscomb Academy, Oakland, MBA lead the preseason rankings





Lipscomb Academy’s Junior Sherrill (3) tries to elude Davidson Academy’s Caleb Castle (11) during a playoff game in 2021.Phil Stauder / Main Street Nashville

Lipscomb Academy’s Junior Sherrill (3) tries to elude Davidson Academy’s Caleb Castle (11) during a playoff game in 2021.Phil Stauder / Main Street Nashville

The dog days of summer are finally coming to an end.

As high school football season gets set to kick off next Thursday, Aug. 18, it’s time to unveil the Main Street Preps Top 25 preseason rankings.

Defending state champions Lipscomb Academy (Division II-AA) and Oakland (Class 6A) are still the teams to beat in Middle Tennessee, debuting at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

Both programs suffered heavy losses to graduation – Lipscomb Academy said goodbye to running back Alex Broome (Boston College) and quarterback Luther Richesson (Cincinnati), while Oakland bid farewell to running backs Jordan James (Oregon) and Antonio Patterson (Florida International) along with wide receiver Isaiah Horton (Miami Fla.). However, each team is still stockpiled with high-level talent.

Division II-AAA runner-up Montgomery Bell Academy, led by four-year starting QB and Ole Miss commitment Marcel Reed, slots in at No. 3, while Lebanon and Pearl-Cohn round out the top five.

Oakland starting quarterback Kade Hewitt celebrates after connecting with wide receiver Antonio Patterson for a 69-yard touchdown pass during the Class 6A BlueCross Bowl in 2021.Jay Sowers / Main Street Nashville

Oakland starting quarterback Kade Hewitt celebrates after connecting with wide receiver Antonio Patterson for a 69-yard touchdown pass during the Class 6A BlueCross Bowl in 2021.Jay Sowers / Main Street Nashville

Here is how we ranked the top 25 Midstate teams ahead of Week 1 (2021 records in parentheses):

1. Lipscomb Academy (12-1)

Week 1: at Milton (Ga.)

2. Oakland (15-0)

Week 1: vs. Hendersonville (Thursday)

3. MBA (9-4)

Week 1: at Ravenwood

4. Lebanon (11-2)

Week 1: at Antioch

5. Pearl-Cohn (11-2)

Week 1: vs. Cane Ridge (Thursday)

6. CPA (11-3)

Week 1: vs. Independence

7. Riverdale (10-2)

Week 1: at Franklin

8. Ensworth (7-4)

Week 1: at Evangelical Christian

9. Ravenwood (10-3)

Week 1: vs. MBA

10. Pope Prep (8-5)

Week 1: at Hillsboro

11. Brentwood Academy (7-4)

Week 1: Eagle’s Landing (Ga.)

12. Blackman (5-5)

Week 1: at Brentwood

13. Beech (9-4)

{span}MBA quarterback Marcel Reed scrambles for a big gain during Friday’s scrimmage against Independence.{/span}Jay Sowers / Main Street Nashville

{span}MBA quarterback Marcel Reed scrambles for a big gain during Friday’s scrimmage against Independence.{/span}Jay Sowers / Main Street Nashville

Week 1: at Farragut

14. Page (13-2)

Week 1: at Fairview

15. Green Hill (11-2)

Week 1: at Siegel

16. Cane Ridge (7-4)

Week 1: at Pearl-Cohn (Thursday)

17. Independence (4-7)

Week 1: at CPA

18. Nolensville (5-7)

Week 1: at BGA

19. East Nashville (10-5)

Week 1: vs. Father Ryan

20. Summit (14-1)

Week 1: vs. Henry County

21. Springfield (10-3)

Week 1: at Greenbrier

22. Marshall County (7-4)

Week 1: vs. Columbia Central

23. Father Ryan (7-5)

Week 1: at East Nashville

24. Columbia Central (7-5)

Week 1: at Marshall County

25. Davidson Academy (8-5)

Week 1: vs. Boyd Buchanan

Just missed: Clarksville (7-5), Smyrna (7-3), Station Camp (8-3)

Leave a Reply