Even among the select, they have achieved upper-class status.
Although that narrative could also refer to where Baylor and McCallie stand in terms of financial aid given to student-athletes – Baylor offers just more than $2.9 million annually and McCallie a little more than $2.3 million (around $566,000 more than the next-closest school in Tennessee, according to TSSAA records) – it is a fitting endorsement of each school’s football footing in its Division II-AAA surroundings.
The Blue Tornado are currently ranked No. 1 in DII-AAA after winning the past two state titles, while No. 5 Baylor has reached at least the state quarterfinals in nine of the past 11 seasons, including consecutive runner-up finishes in 2010-11. That means Friday night’s rivalry renewal at McCallie is also a showdown of the state’s football aristocrats because both teams have legitimate championship aspirations.
But while the game will determine playoff positioning in DII-AAA’s East/Middle Region, of more immediate concern for the visiting Red Raiders will be trying to snap a five-game losing streak in the series.
“We don’t mention it to our guys,” Baylor coach Phil Massey said. “We don’t really have to. They know, everyone on both sides knows the importance of this game.”