It is a Friday night in Chattanooga. The air smells like damp grass and expensive cedar mulch. If you are standing on the sidelines at Heywood Stadium, you aren't just watching a high school game; you’re witnessing a private school juggernaut that has basically re-written the rules of Tennessee's Division II-AAA landscape. Baylor School football used to be the "other" big program in town, often playing second fiddle to the cross-town rivals over at McCallie. Not anymore.
Things changed.
Erik Kimrey happened.
When Kimrey arrived from South Carolina a few years back, he didn’t just bring a playbook; he brought a specific brand of psychological warfare and offensive fluidity that turned the Red Raiders into a terrifying machine. It’s weird, honestly. You look at the roster and see kids who look like they belong on a Sunday afternoon in the NFL, yet the atmosphere feels like a tight-knit neighborhood brawl. That’s the Baylor magic. It’s elite, it’s polished, but it’s still fundamentally "Chattanooga."
The Kimrey Era and the Shift in Power
For decades, the conversation around Baylor School football was defined by the "Big Game" against McCallie. It was—and is—one of the oldest rivalries in the South. But for a long stretch, Baylor was struggling to get over the hump in the state playoffs. They were good, sure. Great, even. But they weren't the team.
Then came 2022.
The Red Raiders snapped a long championship drought by defeating Montgomery Bell Academy in a thriller. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Since then, the program hasn't looked back. Coach Kimrey, who won nearly a dozen state titles at Hammond School in South Carolina, didn't need time to "build a culture." He just plugged his system into the existing raw talent.
What makes the current iteration of Baylor School football so different? It's the balance. You've got guys like Cameron Sparks, a blue-chip athlete who seems to teleport across the field. When you have players who can play three different positions at an All-State level, the math for opposing defensive coordinators just stops working. It’s unfair. Truly.
Recruiting, Reclassification, and the Private School Debate
Look, we have to talk about the elephant in the room. People love to complain about the Division II-AAA split in Tennessee. If you follow Tennessee high school football, you've heard the grumbling at the local barbershop. "They recruit." "They have an unfair advantage."
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Here is the reality: Baylor is a boarding school. They have kids from all over the country—and the world—living on that 690-acre campus. That creates a unique dynamic. While a public school coach is working with the kids in his zone, Baylor is essentially a mini-college program. They have the facilities. They have the nutrition. They have the film rooms.
But having resources doesn't automatically mean you win. We’ve seen plenty of "rich" programs fall apart under the weight of expectations. Baylor succeeds because they’ve leaned into the boarding school identity. These players live together. They eat every meal together in the dining hall. By the time they hit the field on Friday, the chemistry is almost telepathic. You can't recruit that kind of bond; you have to build it in the dorms at 11:00 PM on a Tuesday.
The Rivalry That Actually Matters
If you haven’t been to a Baylor-McCallie game, you haven't lived. Seriously.
The "Big Game" is a cultural event. It’s not just about football; it’s about bragging rights for the next 365 days in the Chattanooga business community. You’ll see CEOs on the sidelines losing their minds over a holding penalty. You’ll see alumni who graduated in 1974 wearing their old letterman jackets.
Historically, McCallie had a bit of a streak going. They were the dominant force for a minute. But Baylor’s recent resurgence has turned this back into a true toss-up every year. The 2023 and 2024 matchups were masterclasses in high-stakes coaching. These games aren't usually blowouts. They are grinds. They are about who blinks first in the fourth quarter.
- The Attendance: Usually 10,000+ people.
- The Stakes: Often determines the top seed in the playoffs.
- The Vibe: Pure, unadulterated tension.
Developing the Next Level: The Pipeline to the Power Five
Baylor School football has become a mandatory stop for SEC and ACC scouts. It’s not a secret anymore. When you look at the recruiting trail, names like Amari Jefferson (who eventually chose Alabama) and the aforementioned Cameron Sparks have kept the school's name in the national headlines.
But it’s not just the five-star guys. Baylor’s offensive line play has been some of the most consistent in the state. They produce "college-ready" players. What does that mean? It means when a kid leaves Baylor, he already knows how to read a complex defensive front. He knows how to handle a professional-style practice.
The transition to college is easier for these kids because the Baylor environment is already "College Lite."
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Understanding the "Baylor Way" on the Field
Tactically, Baylor is a headache. Kimrey’s offense is known for being multiple. One play they are in a heavy set, bruising you between the tackles. The next, they’ve spread it out and are picking apart your secondary with quick-game slants.
They don't just rely on athleticism. They rely on IQ.
I’ve watched games where the quarterback changed the play at the line three times based on the safety’s footwork. High school kids aren't supposed to be that disciplined. But that is the standard there. If you don't know your assignments, you don't play. Period.
Defense is where they really hurt you, though. They play with a level of physicality that feels a bit "old school." It’s a "bend but don't break" philosophy that relies on a deep rotation of defensive linemen. They wear you down. By the fourth quarter, the opposing offensive line is usually gasping for air, and that’s when the Baylor pass rush starts getting home.
The Challenges Facing the Program
It isn't all trophies and easy wins. The pressure at Baylor is immense. When you have that much talent and those kinds of facilities, anything less than a state title run is considered a "down year." That is a heavy burden for 16 and 17-year-olds.
Furthermore, the competition in DII-AAA is getting ridiculous. You’ve got Ensworth, Brentwood Academy, MBA, and McCallie all essentially operating like semi-pro teams. There are no "off weeks" in that league. Every Friday is a playoff game.
Injuries can also be a massive equalizer. Because Baylor is a smaller school in terms of total enrollment compared to the massive 6A public schools, they don't always have the "infinite" depth that a school like Maryville or Oakland might have. They have to be smarter about player health and recovery.
Why This Matters for the Future of Tennessee Football
The rise of Baylor School football has forced everyone else in the state to level up. You can see it in how other private schools are hiring coaches and how public schools are trying to modernize their weight rooms.
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Baylor is the blueprint.
They’ve shown that you can balance high-level academics (and Baylor is tough academically) with a national-caliber football program. They aren't just "jocks." These are kids who are taking AP Physics and then going out and hitting a 220-pound linebacker.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Athletes
If you are a fan or a parent looking at the Baylor program, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Attend the Big Game Early
If you want tickets for the McCallie game, don't wait until the week of. They sell out. Often, they are gone weeks in advance. It’s the hottest ticket in town, and for good reason.
2. Focus on the Developmental Aspect
For aspiring players, look at what Baylor does with their "non-stars." The way they develop three-star recruits into solid college contributors is actually more impressive than what they do with the natural-born superstars. It’s about the coaching.
3. Watch the Coaching Clinic
If you're a student of the game, watch Erik Kimrey's use of tight ends. It is some of the most sophisticated usage in the Southeast. He uses them as chess pieces to create mismatches that shouldn't exist.
4. Respect the Tradition
Baylor isn't a "pop-up" powerhouse. The history there goes back over a century. Take a walk through the trophy cases in the field house. It puts the current success into perspective.
The Red Raiders aren't going anywhere. As long as the Kimrey system is in place and the school continues to attract top-tier talent from across the region, Baylor School football will remain the gold standard for Chattanooga sports. It’s a high-wire act of elite academics and brutal, physical football. And honestly? They make it look easy.
Next Steps for Following the Team:
To get the most out of the upcoming season, follow the local beat writers at the Chattanooga Times Free Press who cover the DII-AAA circuit daily. Additionally, the Baylor School’s own "Baylor Athletics" social media channels provide the best behind-the-scenes look at mid-week practices and player interviews that you won't find on the major recruiting sites. For those interested in the recruiting side, keep an eye on the 247Sports rankings for the Tennessee 2026 and 2027 classes, as the Red Raiders currently have several underclassmen projected to land in the national top 100.