Score fast. Score often.
That certainly seemed to be the theme for the McCallie School offense Friday night as the Blue Tornado closed out their regular season with a 45-7 victory over visiting Father Ryan.
The swiftest Blue Tornado to the end zone was sophomore quarterback Deangelo Hardy, who started the scoring with a 38-yard run just 34 seconds into the opening quarter, then scored on a 4-yard run a mere six seconds into the second period.
Throw in two first-quarter scoring runs from McCallie freshman running back B.J. Harris that covered 13 and 46 yards and a 8-yard scoring strike from Hardy to Rico Dozier and it's easy to see why the Tornado led 38-7 at halftime.
"They're good, and we weren't good tonight," Father Ryan coach Brian Rector said. "Hat's off to them."
According to McCallie coach Ralph Potter, hats off to his players for sticking together through some difficult early times.
"These kids still enjoy playing together," Potter said at the conclusion of a 7-3 regular season that will continue in the TSSAA Division II-AAA playoffs following a bye week next Friday. "They still enjoy coming to practice, hanging out together. It's not like that every season."
For Hardy, whose 73 net rushing yards pushed him to 1,062 on the season, it's a question of hard work and belief.
"We're getting better every week," he said. "We're executing so much better than we were the first two or three weeks. Everybody said at the first of the year that we're too young. But we believe."
Part of that belief is no doubt due to the return of senior running back Xavier Brooks, who's been hobbled for much of the season with ankle problems.
Healthy reportedly for the first time in weeks, Brooks rushed for 65 yards on nine carries, scoring the Blues' final touchdown of the night from 33 yards out midway through the third period.
"That was amazing," Brooks said afterward. "We're 200 percent better than we were at the start of the season."
Added Hardy of his teammate's return: "The duo is back. Actually, we've also got a mean freshman, too."
Hardy was referring to Harris, who's now been a star in three straight games, having scored 12 total touchdowns and rushed for 469 yards in somewhat limited action.
"I guess they should start calling us the Triplets," Hardy said.
Playing as they have in outscoring Baylor and Father Ryan by a combined score of 85-21 over their last two games, it might be time to start calling the Blue Tornado playoff contenders.
Contact Mark Wiedmer at mwiedmer@timesfreepress.com