McCALLIE BLUE TORNADO (6-0, 2-0) at BAYLOR RED RAIDERS (5-0, 2-0)
Besides the year-long bragging rights produced by the outcome, the top spot in Division II-AAA’s East Region is on the line. The Blue Tornado have won the past three meetings in this old series by an average score of 34-9 – not since 2012 has the game been decided by less than two touchdowns – but Baylor has won six of the past 10. The rivalry is so contentious that the teams can’t even agree on what the series record is: Baylor’s files show it with a 43-37-4 advantage, while McCallie lists it as 44-39-3 in favor of the Red Raiders. Which team is able to manage the hype and electric atmosphere well enough to carry out the game plan will go a long way in deciding the outcome. While both offenses can be balanced, they rely mostly on running the ball. Top-ranked McCallie has jumped on opponents early in games this season, outscoring them 157-26 in the first half. The Blue Tornado are led on offense by senior QB DeAngelo Hardy, who has 1,285 total yards (757 passing, 498 rushing) and has averaged 7.4 yards per carry, and junior B.J. Harris (764 rushing yards, 8 per carry), who is the area’s second-leading scorer. Third-ranked Baylor, which has hammered foes by an average score of 40-9, is led on offense by Tennessee-committed junior RB Elijah Howard (10.3 yards per carry) and on the other side of the ball by senior LB Noah Martin, who ranks among the area’s leaders in tackles and has nine for loss.
BOYD BUCHANAN BUCCANEERS (4-1, 1-1) at SILVERDALE BAPTIST SEAHAWKS (1-4, 0-3)
Thanks in part to the dual-threat ability of junior QB Eli Morris, the Buccaneers’ spread offense has turned heads. A sturdy line has helped lead the way to an average of 39.4 points per game after Boyd Buchanan scored in double digits just once last season. Morris has averaged 260 yards and more than two touchdowns per game this season, with freshmen Caden Johnson and Matt Stone also key contributors. Silverdale Baptist, which rolled to a 42-0 win last year in this DII-AA East Region matchup, has scored more than 14 just once this season and will need to get on track offensively.
RHEA COUNTY EAGLES (5-0) at OOLTEWAH OWLS (2-3)