Ensworth knocks off top-ranked MBA

Ensworth can no longer be referred to as the “new kid on the block.’’ In fact, the Tigers might even be called the “big bully on the block.’’

With Tavarres Jefferson scoring four TDs, the host Tigers (6-0) racked up more than 600 yards of total offense and knocked off rival Montgomery Bell Academy 41-28 Friday night before an overflow crowd of about 4,000 fans.

The win enabled the Tigers to take command of the DII Middle/East Region race. Ranked No. 2 (AP) behind MBA (6-1), they can also assume they’ll be ranked No. 1 next week.

It also ended a 19-game winning streak for the defending DII state champs and handed coach Daniel McGugin his first loss as MBA coach halfway through his second season.

The lightning fast Jefferson scored two TDs in the first half and, not slowing down, added two more in the final quarter, while Orleans Orleans Darkwa bolted for a 99-yard TD. The Tigers held off MBA, which had rallied from 20 points down to take the lead.

“All week long, we tried to treat it as just another game. MBA has a great team, but we didn’t go in intimidated at all,’’ added Jefferson, who saw his season end with an ACL injury last October in a 14-0 loss at MBA.

The game was filled with one big play after another. On Ensworth’s very first play, Jefferson scooted for 52 yards, setting up his own 14-yard TD six plays later. Jefferson then hit Jacob Carter for a 20-yard gain to the seven, setting up another Jefferson score.

Then lightning struck after Michael Dunn’s interception at the one. Darkwa bolted through the MBA line and raced home for a 99-yard score.

After Fitz Lassing caught a 21-yard TD pass from Spencer Wise for MBA, Darkwa stormed 80 yards for another score. Ensworth scored the first four times it had the ball.

“Big players make big plays in big games,’’ Ensworth coach Ricky Bowers said after one of the school’s biggest wins in any sport. “They are all winners. Tavarres and Orleans ran the ball extremely well, and Jacob Carter keeps making big plays.’’

Spencer Wise was superb in defeat, firing four TD passes, two to William Tanner. That gives Wise 12 TD passes for the season and Tanner six TD catches.

“I thought right up to the end we had enough left in the tank to pull it out,’’ Wise said, “but we just came up short.’’

“We made too many mistakes to beat a team that good,’’ McGugin said. “They (Ensworth) didn’t surprise me, I knew they were that good.’’

MBA next visits Brentwood Academy. Enworth hosts JPII for homecoming.