Elliot Drapeau got a chance to show off his arm Friday night.
McCallie’s junior quarterback, a first-year starter for the reigning TSSAA Division II-AAA state champions, threw five touchdown passes to lead the Blue Tornado to a 37-7 win over Memphis University School at Spears Stadium on Missionary Ridge.
Drapeau threw touchdown passes of 21, 35, 22, 27 and 30 yards, with the Canadian left-hander finishing the game with 260 yards through the air and connecting with four receivers for the scores.
McCallie (3-1) opened with two straight touchdown drives capped by passes from Drapeau to Keeyshawn Tabuteau and Joseph Korenblit, jumping out to a 14-0 lead and setting the tone in the matchup of DII-AAA teams from the West and East regions.
(READ MORE: Final scores and photos from Friday night’s Chattanooga-area prep football games)
“The key to the game was just how we started,” said McCallie’s Joel Bradford, the program’s first-year head coach who was its offensive coordinator the past five years (a stretch that includes four state titles). “I think we were very efficient, and the boys were under control and stayed focused. And that’s what really matters.”
In the second quarter, Drapeau hit Carson Lawrence and Chase Moretz for touchdowns, then found Tabuteau for a second score on the Blue Tornado’s first offensive play of the second half.
“I’ve got a great line protecting me and some fast receivers downfield,” Drapeau said. “That makes my job pretty easy, so I’m grateful for these guys.”
McCallie senior Elliot Arnold’s 39-yard field goal in the fourth quarter capped the scoring.
MUS (3-1) got on the board late in the game with a pass from Kyle Sneed to Brady Hughes to avoid the shutout.
Despite the passing success, McCallie still managed to keep its offense balanced by adding 118 yards on 24 carries, led by Keylan Siam’s 11 rushes for 65 yards.
Bradford said having success on the ground and through the air is crucial as McCallie prepares to open East Region play next week against Brentwood Academy.
“I think balance is key,” he said. “With the opponents we’re going to face, they’re going to find ways of stopping what we are doing well. The key that I tell the guys is that we will make adjustments, but whatever play we run, we have to execute at a high level no matter what.”
Contact Jim Tanner at sports@timesfreepress.com.