Baylor’s David Gabriel Georges Shines on ESPN2 in Rematch Win Over Brentwood Academy

Chattanooga had the eyes of the country on it Thursday night, and Baylor’s backfield made sure it was worth watching. No. 18 Baylor School opened its 2026 season with a 38-20 win over No. 13 Brentwood Academy at Heywood Stadium, a nationally televised rematch of last year’s Division II-AAA state championship, and reigning MaxPreps National Player of the Year David Gabriel Georges reminded everyone exactly why he’s the state’s top-ranked recruit.

A Statement Performance on the Big Stage

The Red Raiders’ five-star running back and Tennessee commit rushed for 173 yards and added 70 more as a receiver, but it was the fourth quarter where he took the game over. With Baylor clinging to a 17-13 lead, Gabriel Georges ripped off three straight runs of at least 10 yards before punching in a 6-yard touchdown. After Brentwood answered with an 80-yard score of its own, he responded immediately, leading Baylor back down the field in three plays to make it 31-20 and put the game out of reach. He finished the night with three fourth-quarter touchdowns in a performance that looked every bit like the one that earned him a national player of the year title.

It capped a rematch six years in the making for these two programs. Baylor has now beaten Brentwood Academy six straight times, five of them decided by a single score, including last December’s state title game that finished a perfect 12-0 season for the Red Raiders.

A Night Full of Big Names

Gabriel Georges wasn’t the only storyline. ESPN counted 19 college commits on the field between both rosters, part of what made the matchup one of seven games selected nationally for ESPN2’s High School Football Kickoff. Brentwood Academy countered with its own pair of Tennessee commits in receiver Kesean Bowman and linebacker Kenneth Simon II, while Ole Miss pledge Crews Jenkins connected on a 67-yard touchdown strike to keep the Eagles in it.

Maybe the most talked-about moment of the night, though, had nothing to do with the scoreboard: Marshall Manning, son of NFL legend Peyton Manning, made his varsity debut for Baylor. Between a national player of the year, nearly 20 future college players, and a Manning taking the field for the first time, it’s easy to see why ESPN wanted this one on national TV.

Chattanooga’s Football Talent Deserves Gear to Match

Nights like this are a reminder of just how much football talent comes through Chattanooga, from Friday night lights to national broadcasts. Whether your team is chasing a state title or just getting a youth season started, The Athletic Shop can help you outfit your program with the same caliber of gear top programs wear on the biggest stages.

We build custom football uniforms using official builders from Adidas and Under Armour, with durable, moisture-wicking fabrics designed to hold up to a full season of contact, along with coordinated practice gear, warm-ups, and coaches’ apparel to complete the look from the sideline to the field.

Get Your Team’s Uniform Started

If your program is ready to build a uniform for this season, get a free quote from our team and we’ll walk you through design options, sizing, and timelines. Start your quote today.

FAQs About Baylor’s ESPN2 Matchup

Q: Who is David Gabriel Georges?
A: David Gabriel Georges is a five-star running back at Baylor School in Chattanooga, the reigning MaxPreps National Player of the Year, and a Tennessee Volunteers commit.

Q: What was the final score of Baylor vs. Brentwood Academy?
A: Baylor won 38-20, a rematch of the 2025 Division II-AAA state championship game.

Q: Did Peyton Manning’s son play in the game?
A: Yes. Marshall Manning made his varsity debut for Baylor School during the ESPN2 broadcast.

Q: Can The Athletic Shop outfit a football team with Adidas or Under Armour gear?
A: Yes. We build custom football uniforms through official Adidas and Under Armour uniform builders, along with practice gear and coaches’ apparel.