Once McCallie's football team regained full strength late in the season - after being limited by injuries to some key players earlier - the Blue Tornado became dominant on their way to winning a second straight TSSAA Division II-AAA state title.
McCallie was so impressive throughout the postseason, particularly in a 44-0 destruction of Memphis University School in the BlueCross Bowl championship game this month, that statewide sports writers have selected seven Blue Tornado players to the all-state team for 2020.
The seven who earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association recognition in DII-AAA are twin brothers Austin and Jack Gentle on the offensive line, receiver Eric Rivers, running back B.J. Harris, linebackers Aaron Crowder and J.D. Tessman and defensive back Michael May.
Four local players were named to the DII-AA team: Chattanooga Christian School linebacker Luke Bowman and defensive back Treveon Scott, Silverdale Baptist Academy athlete Conner Delashmitt and Boyd Buchanan offensive lineman Brody Grant.
The announcement of the Division II teams completes this year's TSWA all-state football honors. In TSSAA Division I, Classes 5A and 6A were announced Monday, with 4A and 3A revealed Tuesday and 2A and 1A released Wednesday.
The Gentle twins, who will continue their playing careers at Harvard, each graded out as better than 92% blockers for McCallie this past season, with Austin amassing 114 pancake blocks and Jack finishing with 77. They led the way for Harris, who is committed to Missouri, to rush for 1,498 yards and 21 touchdowns. Rivers had 511 receiving yards, plus an additional 400 yards of offense.
Crowder led a stingy McCallie defense that allowed an average of just 11.5 points per game over its final four, with the junior totaling 68 solo tackles, 26 assists and eight tackles for loss in 2020. Tessman made 50 solo stops to go with 32 assists, 11.5 for loss, two sacks and two interceptions, and May had 37 tackles and four interceptions, including two in the title game.
"It's a source of pride for us to have that many recognized as being among the best in the business in our league," Blue Tornado coach Ralph Potter said. "It's a testament to our coaches and the commitment they had in developing those young men, and the work put in by the players.
"Defensively, the amazing part is that we had so many young guys who had to step in and play and really came through and were better than just OK. We had some guys who waited their turn and really progressed. Offensively, we had a big, strong offensive line, and B.J. and Eric have just been phenomenal players for us for a while."
Bowman had 91 tackles and three sacks for CCS, and Scott was the only two-way starter for the Chargers. Besides ranking among the team leaders in tackles, Scott also ran for 11 touchdowns and more than 900 yards. Delashmitt compiled 1,858 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns for the Seahawks, and Grant was the Buccaneers' most consistent blocker up front.
"Luke set everything up for us," CCS coach Mark Mariakis said. "He played hurt all season long, so to watch what he did on Friday nights is just a testament to his toughness.
"Treveon's athletic ability, his height and physicalness meant we could put him on the other team's best athlete and he usually was able to limit them."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.
Staff file photo by C.B. Schmelter / Chattanooga Christian's TreVeon ScottTSWA ALL-STATE FOOTBALL
DIVISION II-AOFFENSEQB – Aaron Smith, Jackson ChristianQB – Jared Vetetoe, Davidson AcademyRB – Jon Lewis, Donelson Christian AcademyRB – Griffin Swinea, Davidson AcademyWR – Kelvi Rice, Davidson AcademyWR – Peyton Tinsley, Jackson ChristianWR – Ja’Chim Williams, The King’s AcademyOL – JP Oliver, Trinity ChristianOL – Jalen Brockman, Davidson AcademyOL – Aleric Watson, Middle Tennessee ChristianOL – Aidan Francis, Donelson Christian AcademyOL – Darian List, Nashville ChristianATH – Luke Perko, Zion ChristianK – Neill Kane, Friendship ChristianDEFENSEDL – Blaine Verdung, University School of JacksonDL – Riley Stanton, Donelson Christian AcademyDL – Kendyle Ball, Davidson AcademyDL – Harris Adams, Nashville ChristianLB – Kytn Wolf, Franklin GraceLB – Collins Malone, Columbia AcademyLB – AJ Quinn, Davidson AcademyLB – Steele Haynes, University School of JacksonDB – Garrett Weekly, The King’s AcademyDB – Martease Edwards, Nashville ChristianDB – Tyke Tabor, University School of JacksonDB – Marshaun Bowers, The King’s AcademyATH – Nakelin McAfee, The King’s AcademyP – Ben Pledger, University School of JacksonDIVISION II-AAOFFENSEQB – Cade Law, Christ Presbyterian AcademyQB – Cooper Riggs, Knoxville GraceRB – Jaylen Greenwood, Evangelical ChristianRB – James Dunn, Christian Academy of KnoxvilleWR – Pierce Browning, Knoxville GraceWR – Grant Sterchi, Christian Academy of KnoxvilleWR – Michael Human, Knoxville GraceOL – Dietrick Pennington, Evangelical ChristianOL – Chazan Page, Lipscomb AcademyOL – Brody Grant, Boyd BuchananOL – Jackson Bradley, Knoxville WebbOL – Spencer Dams, Christ Presbyterian AcademyATH – Connor Delashmitt, Silverdale Baptist AcademyK – Ross Badgett, Christian Academy of KnoxvilleDEFENSEDL – Colin Stewart, Christ Presbyterian AcademyDL – Malchi Harrison, Christian Academy of KnoxvilleDL – Chi McNeil-Harrison, Christian Academy of KnoxvilleLB – Luke Bowman, Chattanooga ChristianLB – Ethan Dabbs, Lausanne CollegiateLB – Langston Patterson, Christ Presbyterian AcademyLB – Leo Bonifacio, Knoxville WebbDB – Treveon Scott, Chattanooga ChristianDB – Shelby Whiteside, Christ Presbyterian AcademyDB – Jaden Lyles, Lipscomb AcademyDB – Wes Smith, St. George’sDB – Reid Williford, Christ Presbyterian AcademyATH – Brendan Jones, GoodpastureP – Otto Niendorf, Knoxville WebbDIVISION II-AAAOFFENSEQB – Michael Dallas, Briarcrest ChristianQB – D.C. Tabscott, Father RyanRB – Dallan Hayden, Christian BrothersRB – Antwan Roberts, Pope John Paul IIWR – Eric Rivers, McCallieWR – Clarkson Shoaf, Memphis University SchoolWR – Colin Cook, Pope John Paul IIOL – Patrick Kutas, Christian BrothersOL – Austin Gentle, McCallieOL – Noah Josey, Brentwood AcademyOL – Jack Gentle, McCallieOL – Eli Sutton, Brentwood AcademyATH – BJ Harris, McCallieK – Teagen Lenderink, Brentwood AcademyDEFENSEDL – Phillip Husband, Brentwood AcademyDL – Walter Nolen, St. Benedict at AuburndaleDL – Parker Peterson, Father RyanDL – James Stewart, Brentwood AcademyLB – JD Tessman, McCallieLB – Ansley Ware, Pope John Paul IILB – Toleo Malone, Ensworth SchoolLB – Aaron Crowder, McCallieDB – Michael May, McCallieDB – Roderic Lewis, Memphis University SchoolDB – Amir Annoor, Brentwood AcademyDB – Javis Mynatt, Knoxville CatholicATH – Andre Turrentine, EnsworthP – Josh Turbyville, Knoxville Catholic