The McCallie and Soddy-Daisy boys’ bowling teams are undefeated going into the delayed state semifinals Saturday at Smyrna, Tenn., for similar reasons. Both have quality bowlers throughout their lineups, and that balance and depth have enabled them to win even when one or two bowlers have off days or go head-to-head with hot opposing individuals.
“We have a lot of depth. Our No. 6 man can beat our first one,” said McCallie’s Jess Souther, who had the Blue Tornado’s third best average during the season and finished fourth in the individual state tournament on Jan. 28.
Kevin Lutz had the best average and team captain John Mason Harbison also participated in the Division II individual state, where Harbison finished seventh. He, Lutz, Souther and Parker Nicholson are seniors joined by sophomores Brandon Robertson and Evan Speicher in the regular lineup.
The Tornado beat Father Ryan from Nashville 17.5-9.5 in the Division II boys’ quarterfinals on Jan. 29, before part of the Smyrna Bowling Center caved in from accumulated ice and snow and forced the postponement of the semifinals and finals for two weeks.
At 2 p.m. EST Saturday, McCallie (14-0) will face Battle Ground Academy, which edged the Tornado 14-13 in last year’s state semifinals but was one of the teams falling to the Tornado at this year’s East/Middle Region tournament.