There is a memorable scene in the movie “Rocky IV” where, after landing a series of blows that left a cut above Ivan Drago’s eye, Rocky Balboa is met by his cornerman, Duke Evers, who excitedly informs the Italian Stallion what he’s just proven about his seemingly invincible Russian opponent.
“You hurt him!” Evers yells as Rocky slumps onto the stool in his corner between rounds. “You see, he’s not a machine! He’s a man!”
For the past 22 years, Maryville High School’s program has been as much of an unbeatable football machine as the state has seen, defeating 144 consecutive region opponents going into last Friday’s game at Cleveland. But then the underdog Blue Raiders gained serious confidence after landing a few second-half offensive haymakers and, facing a three-point deficit late, drove 74 yards in 13 plays, with Drew Lambert hitting Lucas Szymborski on a 16-yard touchdown pass with 22 seconds left for a stunning 28-24 upset.
Until then, Maryville’s most recent region loss was on Sept. 15, 2000, against Knoxville Halls. The Rebels recovered from the setback to win the TSSAA Class 4A title later that season, one of their 17 total state championships.
Even at last Friday’s McCallie at Baylor game — which I was covering and where nothing else away from that rivalry typically registers with the folks filling the stadium — Cleveland’s win was seismic. There was a noticeable buzz as people double-checked their phones to make sure the final score was accurate, and the aftershock was felt statewide.