McCallie junior running back B.J. Harris hit the holes hard and broke through defenders left and right to lead a 56-19 steamrolling of new region foe Knoxville Catholic on Friday night at Spears Stadium.
The Blue Tornado, the state's No. 1-ranked team in Division II-AAA, have been able to count on their workhorse back in big ways during a red-hot start.
Harris ran for four touchdowns to increase his season total to 13, and he pounded his way for 214 yards on 28 carries in a game that was out of reach for the visitors by the third quarter. Senior dual-threat quarterback DeAngelo Hardy added 338 total yards and three touchdowns.
"We had to prove ourselves," Harris said. "However hard we work, that's what we can accomplish. This week we had great practices and worked through the heat. We got a lot better and had to prove that this is our town."
McCallie has the hit stick working early on the ground. BJ Harris in for the 9 yard score. DeAngelo Hardy with big runs as well on 9 play 84 yard drive. #BestofPreps pic.twitter.com/c2garXySZ5
— Patrick MacCoon (@PMacCoon) September 20, 2019
BJ Harris extends for six. McCallie workhorse RB set up 14 yard score with a 43 yarder down right sideline. Knox Catholic having a tough time taking him down. Blue Tornado 14-6 lead. 10:06 2Q. #BestofPreps pic.twitter.com/DZQzp4AS6n
— Patrick MacCoon (@PMacCoon) September 21, 2019
McCallie (5-0, 2-0 DII-AAA East Region) totaled 555 offensive yards and held the Fighting Irish to 294. The Tornado also had three takeaways and forced Catholic (2-2, 0-2) to turn the ball over on downs twice.
A defensive stand late in the second quarter generated momentum the Tornado ran away with. Jay Hardy broke through to sack Jack Jancek on second down after Catholic got past midfield, T.J. Mason read a screen pass perfectly and James Howard had a blind-side quarterback takedown to force a turnover on downs with 3:06 left before halftime.
Harris soon after exploded down the right sideline on a 41-yard run, and Hardy rolled to his right on third-and-long to find Gavin Cagle wide open in the end zone for a 13-yard score. McCallie led 28-13 at halftime.
"All week long we worked on Knox Catholic's offense, and we knew what was coming," said Mason, who had an 8-yard fumble return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. "We needed to wear them down and take energy away from them. As long as we stick together, play team football and don't get the big head, I feel like we can be the best team in the state."
Senior receiver Thompson Byrd helped set up a first-half score with a contested 55-yard catch down the right sideline. Then, providing great coverage for McCallie's defense on a deep ball down the left side of the field, Byrd pocketed his team's second interception of the game soon after the fourth score by Harris capped an 80-yard drive to begin the second half.
Hardy broke away for the Tornado's longest run of the night, 57 yards, and his 5-yard touchdown run right after built the lead to 42-13 with 3:16 left in the third quarter.
"I was really nervous going into this game because Knoxville Catholic is very explosive on offense," McCallie coach Ralph Potter said. "Our defense had a few miscues in the first half, but I thought other than those they played great. I thought we could play like this, but I really expected it to be close."
Blocks from a sturdy offensive line and an extra push from receivers helped make Harris and Co. too much to stop.
"B.J. is one of the most improved players I have seen from sophomore to junior year," Potter said. "He had a breakout year his freshman year and then went through a growing stage last year. He is stronger mentally and physically and has the burst we need. He is a great player."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.