Nashville is a weird place for high school sports. You have these massive public schools with decades of history, and then you have the private school circuit—the DII-AAA landscape—where things just feel different. If you’ve spent any time near the Green Hills area lately, you know that Lipscomb Academy football isn't just a school program anymore. It’s a lightning rod. Some people love the way they’ve modernized the prep game, while others think the "national schedule" era went a bit too far.
They win. A lot. But the story isn't just about the trophies in the case; it’s about how a small Church of Christ school transformed into a literal factory for Division I talent in less than a decade.
The Trent Dilfer ripple effect
Let’s be real. You can't talk about Lipscomb Academy football without talking about the "Dilfer Era." Before Trent Dilfer showed up in 2019, the Mustangs were a solid, respectable program. They weren't exactly a national powerhouse, though. Dilfer didn't just coach; he rebranded the entire philosophy of what a high school team could be in Middle Tennessee. He brought a professionalized staff, an NFL-style playbook, and a level of media savvy that made every Friday night feel like a televised event.
It worked.
The Mustangs went on a tear, winning back-to-back state championships in 2021 and 2022. They weren't just beating teams; they were dismantling them. During that 2022 run, the point differential was honestly terrifying. They finished 13-0 and sat high in the MaxPreps national rankings. But then Dilfer left for UAB, and everyone wondered if the bubble would burst.
It didn't.
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Kevin Wright took the reins, bringing a pedigree from IMG Academy and Indiana. That transition was fascinating because it moved the program from the "Superstar Coach" model to a more institutionalized "National Powerhouse" model. When you watch them play now, you see the remnants of that pro-style aggression mixed with a very disciplined, modern spread approach.
Life in the DII-AAA meat grinder
Tennessee’s Division II-AAA is basically the SEC of high school football. You’re looking at a gauntlet that includes Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA), Ensworth, Brentwood Academy, and Baylor School. There are no "off" weeks. If you show up at a Lipscomb game against MBA, the atmosphere is heavy. You’ve got college scouts from Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State standing on the sidelines with their lanyards, just watching warm-ups.
The competition level has forced Lipscomb to evolve. They aren't just playing local kids anymore. The roster is a mix of homegrown talent and high-profile transfers who see the school as the best path to a Saturday scholarship.
Critics call it "recruiting." The school calls it "providing an elite environment."
Regardless of where you stand on the private school debate, the product on the field is undeniable. The speed is different. When you see a kid like Kaleb Beasley (now at Tennessee) or Edwin Spillman flying around the field, you realize these aren't your average high schoolers. They are bigger, faster, and more technically sound because the program treats every Tuesday practice like a mini-NFL combine.
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The transition years and the 2024-2025 reality
Transitioning from a 2A or 3A mindset to the top flight of Tennessee football wasn't an overnight thing, even if the scoreboard made it look that way. Moving into the highest classification meant facing deeper rosters.
Last season showed some cracks, but also a lot of grit. They took some losses they weren't used to. Why? Because the "new" wore off. Teams like McCallie and Baylor stopped being intimidated by the brand. They started playing the Mustangs with a chip on their shoulder.
Honestly, that's better for the sport. A dominant Lipscomb is fun to watch, but a vulnerable Lipscomb fighting through a 7-3 or 8-2 regular season makes the playoffs much more compelling.
What most people get wrong about the program
There’s this persistent myth that Lipscomb Academy is just a "football school" that buys its wins. If you actually walk the halls, you see a pretty rigorous academic environment. These kids are balancing film study with high-level coursework. The school has a massive endowment and incredible facilities—the weight room alone would make some small colleges jealous—but the culture is built on a specific type of discipline.
- The "National Schedule" isn't for everyone. Playing teams from Florida or Georgia sounds cool until you’re on a bus for eight hours and have to play a top-50 team in 90-degree humidity. It takes a toll on the kids' bodies.
- The "Dilfer hangover" is a myth. Kevin Wright has established his own culture. It's less about the "big personality" now and more about the "big system."
- It's not just the QB. People love to talk about the quarterbacks, but the Mustangs' dominance usually starts with their defensive line. They play a gap-sound, physical style that most high school offensive lines simply can't handle for four quarters.
Recruiting and the "Next Level" pipeline
If you are a parent looking at Lipscomb Academy football, you aren't just looking at wins. You're looking at the spreadsheet of where these kids go after graduation.
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The numbers are staggering. In any given senior class, you're looking at a double-digit number of players heading to play college ball. We aren't just talking about D-III or NAIA (though those are great paths). We’re talking about the Power 5.
The school has become a destination for athletes who want that specific "pro-style" development. When a kid leaves Lipscomb, they already know how to read a complex coverage. They know how to use a lifting rack. They know how to handle media interviews. That's the real "product" Lipscomb is selling.
The future: Is the dominance sustainable?
High school football is cyclical. We’ve seen Brentwood Academy have decades-long runs, and then dip for a few years. We’ve seen Ensworth rise and fall. Right now, Lipscomb is in that "perpetual contender" phase.
The challenge moving forward is the sheer cost of maintaining this level of play. The travel, the coaching salaries, the facilities—it’s an arms race. But as long as Nashville continues to grow and more families move to the mid-state seeking elite sports opportunities, the Mustangs are going to have a steady stream of talent.
Actionable steps for fans and parents
If you're trying to keep up with the team or considering the program, here’s the reality:
- Watch the JV games. If you want to see if the program is "declining" or "building," don't look at the seniors. Look at the freshmen and sophomores. That's where the future of the DII-AAA hierarchy is decided.
- Check the injury reports. Because of their aggressive scheduling, depth is everything. A single injury to a starting left tackle at a school like Lipscomb matters more than it does at a massive public school like Oakland or Maryville because the drop-off to the second string can be steeper in private ball.
- Don't ignore the local rivalries. While the national games get the headlines, the games against CPA (Christ Presbyterian Academy) or MBA are where the real "culture" of the team is tested. Those are the games that matter to the boosters and the alumni.
- Follow the recruiting trails. Sites like 247Sports or Rivals are actually decent barometers for how the Lipscomb roster is shaping up. If the "stars" start heading to other local privates, that’s your first sign of a shift in the Nashville power structure.
The Mustangs have fundamentally changed how football is played in Nashville. They forced everyone else to level up. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a skeptical neighbor, you have to admit: they made Friday nights a lot more interesting.