Skip to main content
Saturday, November 14, 2026Nov 14
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

McCallie advances with rout of Pope John Paul II

McCallie quarterback Robert Riddle, right, hands the ball off to teammate Tynelius Hall during the tornados' prep football game against Montgomery Bell Academy at McCallie School on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
McCallie quarterback Robert Riddle, right, hands the ball off to teammate Tynelius Hall during the tornados' prep football game against Montgomery Bell Academy at McCallie School on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

By Mark Wiedmer 3 min read

Were you to look at the final score only, McCallie’s 54-21 TSSAA Division II playoff victory over visiting Pope John Paul II on Thursday night was remarkably like its 35-point win against the Nashville-area school a couple of weeks ago.

But for the Blue Tornado players there was one very big difference.

“I’ve got to go home tonight and study chemistry,” said starting quarterback Robert Riddle, who ran for two scores and passed for a third. “I think I have a quiz tomorrow.”

McCallie 54, Pope John Paul 21

The star: McCallie junior QB Robert Riddle threw for 206 yards and a TD and ran for 53 yards and two scores.Up next: The Blue Tornado play next week at Montgomery Bell Academy, which won 33-27 at McCallie during the regular season.

Thanks at least in part to an overmatched opponent whose season ends with a 2-9 record, Riddle wasn’t the only one of his teammates to pass this gridiron quiz atop Spears Stadium’s Pete Potter Field with a top grade.