BRENTWOOD — There's been a magic number on the mind of Brentwood Academy senior running back Larry Sanders II's mind all season:
Six.
That's the number of touchdowns he needs to etch his way into the Eagles (6-2, 3-0 AAA West) record book for most rushing TDs in a single game and it's obvious just how bad he wants it.
InBrentwood Academy's 42-7 win over Briarcrest Christian (7-1, 2-1 AAA West) on Oct. 9, Sanders came up to the record once again, running into the end zone five times. In the last two weeks, he's had 10 touchdowns and now has 16 this season.
"I'm not going to lie, I was really trying to break the record tonight," Sanders said. "That's the only stat that I'm really involved with."
Last season, he emerged as one of the top running backs
in the state, after collecting 1,833 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Sanders went toe to toe with one of the nation's top high school football players, and Tennessee football commit, Baylor running back David Gabriel Georges in the DII-AAA state championship game. Sanders logged 29 carries for 215 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to Baylor.
To Brentwood Academy coachPaul Wade, that performance felt like it put Sanders on the radar for prospective schools. However, that recruitment hasn't moved as fast.
"He's been playing to get someone in college to recognize him," Wade said. "He doesn't quiet have the measurables some of these other cats do. That's the chip he's playing for cause he needs to be playing somewhere next year."
Offers and the touchdown record are constantly on Sanders' mind, but he isn't putting himself ahead of any of his teammates.
"I'm trying to keep my head off of that," Sanders said. "I know more opportunities will come. I'm trying to follow what coach Wade says to be a team guy and not a me guy."
4Q | 7:41 | 42-7 Eagles
— Jack Williams (@jackgwilliams) October 10, 2026
BRENTWOOD ACADEMY TOUCHDOWN
Make that FIVE for @_larrysanders22 on the 6 yard carry. pic.twitter.com/ALxfRe01yr
Despite "playing with a chip on his shoulder," Sanders is the first person to credit his teammates for his success, specifically his linemen, and talk at depth just how important his relationship is with them.
"I wouldn't be able to dominate without the five of them," Sanders said. "I don't see them as just friends. We're a brotherhood. That's my family."
Sanders finished with 199 yards rushing on 21 carries and five touchdowns, making up over half of the Eagles 384 yards of total offense. Quarterback and Ole Miss commitCrews Jenkinswas 10-of-17 passing with one touchdown to Hutch Weber on a 1-yard pass and an interception.
Briarcrest quarterback JD Donaldson's 49 yard touchdown pass to Cayden Dixon was the Saints only production of the game.
Penalties became a rising issue for the Eagles as they finished with 111 yards on 10 infractions. Braircrest gave up 67 yards on eight penalties.
"Kids will be kids, but it was a little too much tonight," Wade said. "It took away from some really dynamic individual performances."
With Briarcrest being handed their first region loss of the season, the race for first is down to two teams: Brentwood Academy and Lipscomb Academy. Both squads are undefeated with just weeks left in the regular season and will meet in Week 10 on Oct. 30.
However, that race will come to a pause as both squads will head into fall break and what Wade said is a needed week off.
"Normally, I'd say that we don't need it cause I don't like to break the momentum, but they need to get away and I definitely need to get away," Wade said.
Reach The Tennessean's high school writer, Jack Williams at jackwilliams@theleafchronicle.com and on the X platform @jackgwilliams.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Brentwood Academy football's Larry Sanders II is chasing records, recruiting recognition
