Prediction: Ensworth (Tenn.) comes up short of state title

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in a few short weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we make our way back over to the Volunteer State and check out the TSSAA 3-time state champion Ensworth Tigers. The Tigers are led by former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, guided the program to an 11-1 record, losing to eventual Division II champion McCallie School. With Hasselbeck’s son, Taylor, heading into his senior season, can Ensworth get over the road block of McCallie and win it all this fall?

Player Spotlight: QB Taylor Hasselbeck

It’s never easy carrying the last name of a quarterback that’s played in the NFL. It might be even tougher when you’re playing for him on the high school football level. That’s reality for Taylor Hasselbeck, a 3-star Wyoming commitment, heading into his senior season with the Tigers. The younger Hasselbeck last season put up some solid numbers, as the signal caller finished 2024 completing 134 of 190 passes (70 percent) for 1,790 yards, 18 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Tasked with quarterbacking the team his father coaches, the future Cowboy will look to lead Ensworth to its fourth ever state championship.

Others to watch: CB Justin Hopkins, OL Richard Thigpen, LB Jayden Pyant, TE Eli Wilt, OL Beau Harrison, ATH Bishop Starling

Season Prediction: 8-2

After a season that saw the Tigers make it to the Division II Class AAA state semifinals and fall to eventual state champion McCallie School, it now seems like this would be the best opportunity for Ensworth to make a run. With a senior-laden team led by Hasslebeck’s son at quarterback behind an experienced offensive line, the Tigers’ best chance comes this fall. Problem is getting by the likes of foes like McCallie and the Baylor School. We see only two regular season losses to McCallie and Baylor, with the Tigers getting back to the semis and falling to the Blue Tornado once again.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Aug. 22 – at Whitehaven (Tenn.) Tigers – W
Ensworth opens up the season with a rout of Whitehaven.

Aug. 29 – at Nashville Christian School (Tenn.) Eagles – W
Second straight blowout victory for Ensworth as they roll to a 42-14 win.

Sept. 5 – at Briarcrest Christian (Tenn.) Saints – W
Ahead of an important mid-season matchup against McCallie School, Ensworth takes care of business against Briarcrest Christian.

Sept. 12 – McCallie School (Tenn.) Blue – L
Winning streak abruptly comes to a halt with a 28-14 loss to McCallie School.

Sept. 19 – at Lipscomb Academy (Tenn.) Mustangs – W
Coming off their first loss of the season, the Tigers will head into Lipscomb Academy and walk away with win No. 4.

Sept. 26 – at Brentwood Academy (Tenn.) Eagles – W
On the road again, Ensworth faces a third straight state power and narrowly comes away with a 21-20 victory.

Oct. 3 – Knoxville Catholic (Tenn.) Fighting Irish – W
Third straight win, second such winning streak of the season heading into another important matchup, this time against Christ Presbyterian Academy.

Oct. 10 – at Christ Presbyterian Academy (Tenn.) Tigers – W
Up against a very good CPA squad, Ensworth figures out a way to pull off a thrilling 28-27 win.

Oct. 24 – at Baylor School (Tenn.) Red Raiders – L
This time Ensworth sees a 4-game winning streak come to an end as they head into the finale.

Oct. 31 – Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.) Big Red – W
The Tigers end the season with a dominating 34-14 win over MBA heading into the postseason.