On a night when McCallie’s offense filled up the stat sheet, its defense came up with the two biggest plays of the game.
Junior defensive back Stone Roebuck intercepted two passes inside the red zone in the final minutes, and the seventh-ranked Blue Tornado defeated fourth-ranked Ensworth 28-20 in a Division II-AAA East/Middle Region showdown Friday night at Spears Stadium.
“I just went by what my coach taught me at the beginning of the season,” Roebuck said. “If you’re in zone coverage, just read the quarterback’s eyes and it will take you right to the ball, and that’s exactly what I did.”
McCallie (4-1, 1-1) stopped the Tigers three times in the fourth quarter inside the Blue Tornado’s 30-yard line. They forced a 44-yard field-goal attempt that was missed on the drive prior to the two that ended with Roebuck’s interceptions.
“Defensively in that fourth quarter, we really stepped up,” McCallie coach Ralph Potter said. “I’m just really proud of our guys, their attitude and their effort. It’s inspiring to watch them play.”