For nearly a decade, Chattanooga football programs have dominated the TSSAA classification for Tennessee’s largest private schools, which is considered the toughest and most talent-heavy class in the state.
However, while the past seven Division II-AAA state championships have been won by either Baylor or McCallie, winning the classification’s East Region has proven to be more difficult for the Red Raiders and the Blue Tornado in that same span as neither was the region champion in 2020 or 2022.
In 2020, McCallie actually finished third in the region standings, then got healthy and hot in the playoffs, with the Blue Tornado winning all three of their postseason matchups by double figures, including the BlueCross Bowl against Memphis University School.
Baylor enters this fall having won 12 consecutive region games and is the reigning state champ in DII-AAA after finishing unbeaten for the first time since 1973.
And although Brentwood Academy has closed the talent gap and poses the biggest threat to the Scenic City’s overall dominance, the Eagles do not compete in the East Region, which means Baylor and McCallie will once again be expected to battle for the top spot in the league standings.