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The 2025 high school football season kicks off on August 21st. To get ready for the upcoming season, we’re counting down the top 10 teams in the 615 Preps coverage area. Ensworth is our No. 6 team.
To say that Ensworth is entering this year with a chip on its shoulder would be a massive understatement.
The sting of last year’s semifinal loss to McCallie still lingers serving as fuel for a Tigers squad under second year coach Tim Hasselbeck loaded with championship-caliber talent. While the departure of standouts like Ethan Utley and Sam Haley leave a noticeable void, the returning core can’t be looked over as Ensworth looks to climb back to the DII-AAA field.
“Our plan is to improve every time we step on the field,” Hasselbeck said. “We have a tough schedule, and every player is excited to be tested.”
Leading the charge under center is Wyoming quarterback commitment Taylor Hasselbeck. Last season Taylor was one of the state’s most accurate passers completing 71% of his passes for 1,790 yards and 18 touchdowns.
He’ll have no shortage of weapons to work with either.
Junior running back EJ Gibson rushed for over 1,000 yards in his first year starting and out wide, Taylor will have two-way standout, and Minnesota pledge, Justin Hopkins back for one more season together.
TOP 10 AREA TEAMS: No. 10 Nashville Christian | No. 9 Page | No. 8 FRA | No. 7 Brentwood Academy
Up front, Southern Miss commitment Richard Thigpen anchors a deep and experienced offensive line unit.
Because their roster may not be as deep as others in Division II-AAA, many of Ensworth’s standouts will play both sides of the ball. That isn’t something the coaching staff sees as a weapon though.
“I feel good about the progress we’ve made across the roster,” Tim said. “We have guys playing both ways due to roster size, and our kids embrace it.”
Defense remains the strength for the Tigers
Where the Tigers will be at their strongest this year is in their secondary.
Hopkins headlines a group alongside Bishop Starling and Jayden Pyant that many considered to be the best secondary in the state.
That secondary will need to be at its best from Day 1 as the Tigers look to gain experience in their front seven while also playing one of the harder schedules around.
Regardless of who they play, expectations remain high for a program looking to win its first state title in 12 years.
“This team knows what the expectations are,” Taylor said. “We have to be willing to give everything we’ve got to meet those goals. We don’t focus on who we’re playing.
…our focus is Ensworth football.”
Ensworth’s 2025 Schedule
August 22: vs. Whitehaven
August 29: at Nashville Christian
September 5: at Briarcrest Christian
September 12: vs. McCallie
September 19: at Lipscomb Academy
September 26: at Brentwood Academy
October 3: vs. Knoxville Catholic
October 10: at CPA
October 24: at Baylor
October 31: vs. MBA
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