In the biggest games their teams have faced so far this season – against rival opponents – a pair of Chattanooga-area quarterbacks were absolutely clutch last Friday.
With his team trailing by 21 at halftime, Bradley Central junior Javin Burke led his Bears to a dramatic 37-35 Region 2-6A win over crosstown rival Cleveland, while McCallie senior DeAngelo Hardy made sure his team held off Baylor 35-28 to maintain the state’s top spot in Division II-AAA.
The two signal callers finished with almost identical total yards. Burke accounted for 337 yards and five touchdowns and Hardy accumulated 339 yards and threw for three TDs. For those performances, the two quarterbacks were named Times Free Press co-players of the week.
Burke led Bradley Central to scoring drives on all five of its second-half possessions, rallying his team from the 21-point halftime deficit.
Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / McCallie’s DeAngelo Hardy (17) looks to pass against Baylor at Heywood Stadium on the campus of Baylor School on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 in Chattanooga, Tenn.“Things didn’t go his way in the first half, but he came out and executed almost flawlessly in the second half,” Bears coach Damon Floyd said. “It was really the first time he’s faced adversity, but he showed great composure, never panicked and just let the game come to him.