McCallie dominant in season opener
Despite having just one week of practice time to prepare for its season opener, McCallie looked every bit the part of the state’s top-ranked Division II-AAA football team Friday night.
The Blue Tornado, who had to take two weeks off from practice to allow players to quarantine after 11 tested positive for COVID-19, scored three touchdowns in each of the first two quarters on the way to a 55-0 win at Knoxville Webb.
“We talked about it before the game, just the fact that we had been patient through this because at no time were we ever certain that we would get to play,” McCallie coach Ralph Potter said. “But the fact that we did get to go out there and play was a really great feeling.
“We played better than I thought we would given we hadn’t had much practice time. We scored quickly, got a threeand-out and got another one on them. It was 28-0 pretty fast.”
Senior running back B.J. Harris rushed for 126 yards and three touchdowns — all in the first half and including a 66-yard sprint. The Missouri commitment’s first score came less than two minutes into the game, and the Blue Tornado found the end zone twice in just more than four minutes.
Coming into the season, the biggest question facing McCallie was at quarterback. However, juniors Austin Breedlove and William Riddle were both solid, combining to go 9-of-12 passing for 160 yards without an interception. Riddle also threw two touchdown passes.
“Our quarterbacks played well, really better than they had practice,” Potter said. “There’s good people around those guys. They just need to deliver the ball where it needs to go.”
Eric Rivers finished with 102 total yards, and McCallie never punted, converting two fourth downs, rolling up 314 rushing yards and outgaining the Spartans 474-111 in total offense. The Blue Tornado defense, led by James Howard’s three tackles and three more for loss, allowed just 11 rushing yards on 14 carries and also forced three turnovers.
› Meigs County 38, Greenback 0: In a matchup of last season’s Class 2A state runner-up at the 1A runner-up, the visiting Tigers wasted no time in taking control. Meigs County scored twice in each of the first two quarters and was dominant throughout on both sides of the ball.
Tigers quarterback Logan Carroll completed seven of 10 passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Cam Huckabey. Will Meadows was the leading rusher with 90 yards on 15 carries and a score, while Ben Smith led the Tigers defense with 10 tackles (two for loss).
Meigs County, ranked No. 2 in 2A, allowed just 18 rushing yards on 25 carries, and the Cherokees managed only 70 passing yards — 45 came on one completion — with Brady Blevens intercepting a pass.
“We ran the ball and threw it pretty good and got after them pretty good on defense,” Tigers coach Jason Fitzgerald said.
› Rhea County 49, Jefferson County 24: Leading by just four points late in the third quarter, the Eagles scored three unanswered touchdowns to pull away for the nonregion road win.
Dalton Hampton rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns for Rhea (2-0) while Ethan Davis ran for 140 and two scores, and Ryan Young added 93 yards and a touchdown as the Eagles rolled up 377 yards on the ground.
› Cleveland 38, Hardin Valley 12: Thanks to Destun Thomas, going on the road was no problem for the Blue Raiders. Thomas not only caught four touchdown passes from quarterback Gage Kinsey, he also intercepted a pass. Jonathon Heralus also had an interception for the Blue Raiders, who improved to 1-1 heading into next week’s game at Maryville.
› Tellico Plains 13, McMinn Central 0: In a defensive struggle, the Bears got a 1-yard scoring run from quarterback Landon Hollinghead just before halftime and another short scoring run by Major Dukes late in the fourth to secure the nonregion win. Tellico Plains was held to 120 total yards but allowed just 113 total yards to the Chargers.
› Lookout Valley 25, Mt. Juliet Christian 21: Josh Payne’s first win as a coach in a game actually played — last week’s victory over Grace Academy came by forfeit — went down to the final seconds. Yellow Jackets fullback Jacob Winchester scored from less than a yard out on thirdand-goal to get the win.
Jaylen Bates made a huge fourth-down catch from quarterback Blake Ferguson to keep the game-winning drive alive, and Evan Ferguson, freshman Christian Chandler (two interceptions) and Mason Randolph all turned in big defensive plays. Corey Talley finished with more than 100 rushing yards, and Ricardo Cruz blocked a punt for the Yellow Jackets.
In other area games, McMinn County beat Sequoyah 55-0 and Copper Basin won 14-12 against the Georgia Force.