615 Preps preseason top 10: BGA enters the year at No. 5

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. BGA is our No. 5 team.

In just his first year with the program, Bobby Bentley had BGA just one win away from its first state title since 2003.

Fueled by that championship loss to CPA and returning several key pieces of the core that got them to Division II-AA title game in 2024, coming up short again isn’t an option for the Wildcats.

Bentley quickly changed the culture on campus and made sure the offseason was about more than just remembering the loss. It was about acting on it.

“The motto all offseason has been getting five more pounds on the bar, running the sprint a little bit faster, studying a little bit more film, digging a little bit deeper, and straining a little bit more,” Bentley said. “I’m proud of how our kids have responded to our motto.”

Offensively BGA will be led by one of the state’s top senior quarterbacks. Kaedyn Marable, a Columbia commit, threw for nearly 3,300 yards and 35 touchdowns last season. He was also a threat on the ground rushing for 506 yards and 13 more touchdowns.

Up front he’ll be protected by some of the state’s top offensive line prospects. Nate Fleming, a Columbia commitment as well, stood out on both sides of the line for the Wildcats last season earning All-State honors. Defensively he finished the year with 50 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks.

“We focus a lot on us, we keep the end goal in mind,” Fleming said. “We have to go game by game, day by day, minute by minute. We have to focus on ourselves first and be a real team.”

TOP 10 AREA TEAMS: No. 10 Nashville Christian | No. 9 Page | No. 8 FRA | No. 7 Brentwood Academy | No. 6 Ensworth

In just one year Fleming said he’s seen major growth from not only the roster, but the coaching staff as well. That growth starts with the connection formed between the two sides.

The bond between players and coaches has been a major factor in the team’s evolution under Bentley.

“This transition has gone so well,” Fleming added. “We’ve added a different level of culture and a different level of brotherhood, and that’s what’s been so different with Bentley.”

That chemistry will be tested weekly as the there’s seemingly no down week for the Wildcats.

They’ll start off the year playing three of their first four at home. They’ll host the likes of Greenwich (Conn.) and Pearl-Cohn while also playing Jackson Prep (Miss), for a neutral site game at St. George’s.

The two out-of-state opponents that the Wildcats are set to face went a combined 23-3 last season.

Their first true road game could also decide the region title as they’ll travel north to FRA. Last year the teams split their meetings with FRA winning 39-14 in the regular season and BGA getting revenge with a 28-21 semifinal win.

Regardless of who they have to play, for Marable, the mission this season is simple.

“The message from last season was to remember it, get over it quickly, have the chip on your shoulder, play like it, practice like it, lift like it to prepare to go back to it and win it next time.”