Brentwood Academy head coach Paul Wade came on the morning after the Eagles beat the McCallie Blue Tornado 21–6 in the Division II-AAA playoffs. He called it an “ugly win” and said that’s still a good win this late in the year. McCallie had an unusual season by its standards, but Wade said the red helmet still brings out every opponent’s best. His offense stalled early against a defensive look it wasn’t ready for. After halftime the staff figured out how McCallie would line up and stayed in the same formation about 95% of the time. Even with that, the first touchdown came on a play the Eagles had run maybe once all season. Wade also explained how one formation hides six plays: quarterback Cruz chooses based on what the defense gives him. That’s why Cruz can throw for 400 yards one week and 123 the next, and BA still wins.

Next up is a home semifinal on the 20th at Carlton Flatt Field against Lipscomb Academy, a team BA played just two or three weeks ago. Wade has been on both sides of fast rematches, so he’s not assuming the first result will repeat. He’ll start the week close to the first game plan and get ready for the onside kicks and trick plays Trent Dilfer’s group showed in Week 10. Wade credited running back No. 2, fullback Liam Titus, and an offensive line coached partly by former BA player Eli Sutton and his own son, Parker Wade. He also praised Braylon, a Mississippi transfer who scored on a 25-yard catch while defenses focused on Keyshaun and Lex. The hosts expect a physical game with few passes and sent Wade off hoping to talk to him again “come Chattanooga time,” meaning the state final.