McCallie’s John Hardy celebrates a turnover during the Blue Tornado’s victory against Ensworth in the second round of the TSSAA Division II-AAA state playoffs last week. McCallie (10-1) visits undefeated Memphis University School tonight in the semifinals.The process is comparable to watching a boa constrictor slowly squeeze the life out of its prey. McCallie’s defense has been absolutely suffocating this prep football season, breaking the will of opposing offenses along the way to reaching tonight’s semifinal round in the TSSAA Division II-AAA state playoffs.
With nine senior starters on defense, the Blue Tornado (10-1) have allowed paltry averages of 2.1 yards per carry, about 58 rushing yards per game and 145 yards of total offense per game.
“You can’t replace experience,” McCallie coach Ralph Potter said. “I would say at least six of the guys on that side of the ball are in their second year as a starter, so that kind of continuity has allowed us to expand on what we had been doing.
“If you’re going to make a run in the playoffs, I believe it’s almost necessary to have seniors because they understand that any game can be your last. There’s a certain urgency to the way they prepare and play. They know the opportunity they’ve got and don’t want to waste it.”
McCallie linebacker Kristopher Bowman tackles Baylor’s Noah Martin during McCallie’s 21-6 home win on Oct. 12. Just two opponents have scored more than 14 points this season against the Blue Tornado, who visit Memphis University School tonight in the semifinals of the Division II-AAA state playoffs.McCallie’s season began with a dominant shutout and includes a road win against Brentwood Academy on Oct. 5. That night the Blue Tornado snapped a 14-game losing streak to the Eagles, with Dane Beard returning his clutch fourth-quarter interception for the winning touchdown.