The 2026 Tennessee Super 25 high school football rankings have placed the Baylor Bears at the pinnacle, and they will open their season against the Brentwood Academy Eagles on August 20. The matchup revisits the 2025 Division II‑AAA state championship, a game Baylor won 28‑24, and this time the Bears will enjoy home‑field advantage.
Both programs entered the season with impressive résumés. Baylor finished the previous year undefeated at 12‑0, while Brentwood Academy closed out 2025 with an 11‑1 record. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2, bringing the showdown to a national audience.
The rankings themselves are compiled by the USA TODAY Network’s Tennessee sports journalists, who have positioned Baylor at No. 1 and Brentwood Academy at No. 2. The shift reflects a strong start for the Bears and a continued rise for the Eagles, who were No. 3 a year ago.
Among the storylines, the presence of David Gabriel Georges adds extra intrigue. The 5‑star running back, already committed to the University of Tennessee, is the top recruit in the state for the Class of 2027 and is expected to make an immediate impact for Baylor.
What’s at stake
Beyond bragging rights, the contest serves as an early gauge of each team’s championship potential. A win for Baylor would cement their status as the team to beat in the upcoming TSSAA season, while a victory for Brentwood Academy would signal a possible reversal of last year’s outcome and bolster their own title aspirations.