Red Raiders become the first Chattanooga football program to reach the MaxPreps national top 10
Baylor School Football has reached another historic milestone, becoming the first Chattanooga-area program to earn a spot among the nation's top 10 high school football teams in the MaxPreps national rankings.
The undefeated Red Raiders (7-0) climbed to No. 10 in the latest rankings released Monday, October 12, marking the first time in the 21-year history of the MaxPreps Top 25 that a Chattanooga school has reached the national top 10.
The achievement also establishes Baylor as the highest-ranked Tennessee high school football program in the history of the MaxPreps rankings, surpassing Montgomery Bell Academy's previous high of No. 11 in 2007.
Under head coach Erik Kimrey, the defending TSSAA Division II-AAA state champions have continued to build on last season's championship success while competing against some of the nation's most respected programs.
Baylor's challenging nonregion schedule has featured opponents from multiple states, including victories over nationally ranked Brentwood Academy and Trinity High School of Louisville, Kentucky. The Red Raiders have also recorded wins over Rabun Gap (Ga.) and Loudoun County (Va.), demonstrating their ability to compete against quality programs beyond Tennessee.
Perhaps even more impressive than the national ranking is how the Red Raiders have earned it. Baylor remains the only undefeated team in TSSAA Division II-AAA, despite facing a demanding schedule. Through seven games, the Red Raiders have outscored their opponents by an average of 42-17, demonstrating consistency on both sides of the football.
The Red Raiders opened the season ranked No. 12 nationally in the MaxPreps preseason poll and held the No. 11 position for four consecutive weeks before moving into the top 10. Baylor finished its 2025 state championship season ranked No. 16 nationally.
While the national recognition represents another significant accomplishment for the program, Kimrey and his team remain focused on a larger objective.
Speaking with Stephen Hargis of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Kimrey acknowledged the significance of becoming the first Chattanooga program to receive such recognition but emphasized that the team's ultimate goal remains winning another state championship.
Kimrey credited the recognition to the level of competition Baylor has faced and the consistency his players have demonstrated throughout the season.
Baylor's national standing also places the program ahead of every other Tennessee school in the MaxPreps rankings. Brentwood Academy is ranked No. 31, while Battle Ground Academy checks in at No. 90. Baylor also holds the No. 5 position in the Sports Illustrated Power 25 national rankings.
The historic achievement places Baylor alongside some of the most recognized high school football programs in the country, including St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.), IMG Academy (Fla.), Santa Margarita (Calif.), Buford (Ga.), and Bishop Gorman (Nev.).
For a program that captured the Division II-AAA state championship last season, the latest achievement represents another step forward in establishing Baylor Football among the nation's elite programs.
The recognition is also a reflection of the commitment made by the players, coaching staff, and everyone associated with the program. From offseason preparation to Friday nights under the lights, the Red Raiders have continued to raise expectations while representing Baylor School and the Chattanooga community on a national stage.
Next Up for the Red Raiders
Baylor returns to action Friday, October 16, when the Red Raiders welcome Legacy School of Sports Sciences from Spring, Texas, to Heywood Stadium on Senior Night.
The matchup provides another opportunity for Baylor to continue its unbeaten season and build momentum toward the postseason.
While the national rankings recognize what Baylor has already accomplished, the Red Raiders understand their most important goals are still ahead.
For Kimrey and his team, the mission remains unchanged: continue improving, compete at the highest level, and pursue another state championship.
Seven wins. A national top-10 ranking. One championship goal.
READ MORE:
Baylor Cracks Top 10 In Nation In Latest Max Preps Rankings - Chattanoogan.com
Baylor becomes first Chattanooga football team ranked in national top 10 by MaxPreps | Chattanooga Times Free Press
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