Division II-AAA Bluecross Bowl: MUS vs. Mccallie preview
Mccallie and Memphis University School will play in the Division II-AAA Bluecross Bowl at 7 p.m. Thursday. Mccallie is the defending state champion while MUS is in its first championship since 2018.
All state championship games will be held Thursday-saturday at Tennessee Tech’s Tucker Stadium in Cookeville.
Tickets cost $12 for each game while parking is $10.
Mccallie (8-3) vs. MUS (10-2)
When: 7 p.m. (CT), Thursday Playoff appearances (titles): Mccallie: 33rd appearance (2 titles – 2019, 2001). MUS: 37th appearance (5 titles – 1985, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009)
2020 playoff results: MUS def. Father Ryan 41 -17; def. MBA 49-42. Mccallie def. Christian Brothers 42-28; def. Brentwood Academy 28-18.
How Mccallie can win: With one of the best running backs in the state in BJ Harris, the key for Mccallie is to get him going early. If the offensive line is able to give him enough room to make a big play or two, things really start to open up for the receivers on the outside.
How MUS can win: Mccallie is 2-3 in games when it has been held to 31 points or less.
So the key for MUS is to give Mccallie as few scoring chances as possible by taking care of the football, using as much of the clock as possible and forcing turnovers.
Five players to watch
Mccallie
BJ Harris. The Missouri commitment, who is one of three finalists for the Tennessee Titans DII-AAA Mr. Football award, has rushed for 1,325 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Austin Gentle. The 6-4, 290-pound three-star lineman is the No. 15 prospect in the state and a Harvard commitment.
Kenzy Paul. The state’s No. 11 2022 prospect has 25 catches for 359 yards and four touchdowns.
Eric Rivers. Rivers has 833 all-purpose yards, including 479 receiving yards and 172 rushing yards.
Aaron Crowder. Crowder has 89 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.
MUS
Edwin Shy. Shy has 1,301 yards on 78-of-141 passing.
He’s the younger brother of Sellers Shy, who was MUS’ starting quarterback in the 2018 state championship game.
Clarkson Shoaf. The 6-foot-2, 180pound receiver leads the Owls with 723 yards and five touchdowns.
Roderic Lewis. The three-star prospect has 53 tackles and offers from Tulane, Arkansas State and Eastern Kentucky among others.
Hunter Barnes. The 6-foot, 175pound tailback has gained 298 of his 541 total rushing yards in the postseason.
Jordan Helton. The 6-1, 195-pound defensive back picked up an offer from Navy after he posted a pair of interceptions in MUS’ comeback win over MBA.