The Brentwood Academy and Ensworth football teams entered their September 25 matchup with significant injury concerns that only grew worse as the game unfolded. Brentwood Academy’s South Carolina commit Judah Lancaster left the field on crutches after sustaining a left knee injury midway through the third quarter of the Eagles’ 24-0 victory at Ensworth.
Lancaster remained in his uniform with ice wrapped around his knee during the remainder of the game but could not continue. Eagles coach Paul Wade said, “He tweaked his knee a little bit and we decided to hold him (out). We were up 24-0 so we made that decision.”
Brentwood Academy, which improved to 4-2 with the win, was already without four-star Tennessee commit Kesean Bowman. Bowman, the state’s No. 2-ranked prospect, has been recovering from a knee injury and did not play as a precaution. Wade confirmed Bowman will return the following week and added, “If this was a playoff game, Kesean would have played. We just wanted to hold him another week.”
Leading rusher Larry Sanders II also left the game early after suffering a minor shoulder injury. Sanders ran only four times for a net minus-7 yards before leaving and did not return.
On the other side, Ensworth’s offense struggled without its star running back EJ Gibson, who sat out after suffering a concussion. Gibson, one of the Nashville area’s top rushers with 799 yards and eight touchdowns this season, watched the game from the sidelines dressed in his jersey and shorts. The Tigers failed to score for the first time since 2020, finishing the game with a 0-24 loss. Ensworth fell to 3-3 on the season.
Gibson said he expected to be ready for Ensworth’s next game on October 2 at Knoxville Catholic.
The injuries affected both teams’ offensive capabilities and altered the dynamics of a rivalry known for competitive football. Wade’s decision to rest players like Bowman and Lancaster reflected a focus on recovery ahead of more critical matchups later in the season.
Ensworth’s inability to run the ball effectively without Gibson underscored his importance to the Tigers’ offense, while Brentwood Academy’s depth was tested by the absence of Bowman and Sanders.
The injury updates come as both teams prepare for upcoming games that will influence their standings in the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) football season. Wade’s confirmation that Bowman will return next week offers some relief for Brentwood Academy, while Ensworth will await Gibson’s clearance to return to the field.
The latest confirmed development is that Judah Lancaster’s knee injury is being monitored, with no further details on the severity released by the team.
According to Yahoo Sports.