Young Mustangs deliver when it matters most, rally past Ensworth
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With an average starting age of just 16.2 years old, Lipscomb Academy has spent much of the season learning how to grow up on the football field.
On Friday night, the Mustangs showed just how far that growth has come.
Trailing by two touchdowns in the second quarter, Lipscomb Academy rallied behind senior running back Mikel Stephen, a Duke commit, and a defense that shut out Ensworth in the second half to earn a 24-21 victory in the DII-AAA quarterfinals.
The win sends the Mustangs to the semifinals, where they will travel to face Brentwood Academy.
Stephen set the tone early, breaking free for a long touchdown run to give Lipscomb Academy a 7-0 lead. Ensworth senior running back EJ Gibson answered with a touchdown of his own before the Tigers recovered an onside kick and quickly capitalized.
Gibson found the end zone again to put Ensworth ahead 14-7, then added his third touchdown of the night to extend the Tigers’ advantage to 21-7.
But the Mustangs didn’t fold.
Elijah Hensley found the end zone to cut the deficit to seven, and Lipscomb Academy followed by recovering an onside kick of its own. Tyson Robbins converted a field goal to bring the Mustangs within four points heading into halftime.
Coming out of the break, Stephen needed just one opportunity to change the momentum.
The senior broke loose for another long touchdown run, giving Lipscomb Academy its first lead since the opening quarter at 24-21.
From there, the Mustangs’ defense took over.
Ensworth was unable to find the end zone throughout the second half as Lipscomb Academy continued to make stops and protect its narrow advantage. Stephen eventually put the game away with a first-down run late, allowing the Mustangs to run out the clock.
For Stephen, the victory was another opportunity to show what the senior class means to a young group still finding its way.
“I was a freshman not too long ago, and my high school years went by super fast,” Stephen said. “It means a lot to me to pour into these freshmen because I was there not too long ago. It’s important for me to have these freshmen look up to me. I’m always teaching them right from wrong. They mean a lot to me. I love my freshmen.”
Lipscomb Academy head coach Trent Dilfer pointed to that leadership as a major reason for the team’s development throughout the season.
“16.2 is our average age of our starters,” Dilfer said. “But in that, you have six seniors that are as good role models as good football players, humans, workers, professionals, students, and members of society that you can find.”
Dilfer said the presence of those seniors has helped establish a standard for the younger players, both on and off the field.
The Mustangs’ youth extends beyond the classroom, too. Stephen credited his offensive line, which also features young players, for helping him find success throughout the season.
“Without them, I’m nothing,” Stephen said. “I wouldn’t want to do it with any other O-line. They make me better.”
Dilfer also praised Stephen’s influence on the younger players, describing him as a physically and mentally tough leader who holds those around him to a high standard.
The coach said Stephen’s maturity has been especially important for a team with several players still gaining experience, providing a calming presence for the younger quarterbacks and helping the other running backs develop.
Now, the Mustangs will face one of their biggest challenges of the season against Brentwood Academy.
Dilfer recognized the Eagles’ talent and coaching, calling the potential semifinal matchup an enormous challenge, particularly with Lipscomb Academy having to travel.
Stephen, however, believes the Mustangs are ready for the opportunity.
“We’ve gotta be disciplined,” Stephen said. “They play a great game. I’ve got faith we can come out on top.”
