McCallie staged a historic comeback to beat its biggest rival for a TSSAA football championship.
The Blue Tornado stormed back from a 21-0 deficit to win 27-21 over Baylor in the Division II-AAA state championship game on Thursday in Chattanooga.
McCallie running back Keylan Syam scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 15 seconds left as the Blue Tornado took the lead for the first time in the game. The score capped a 98-yard drive over 5:25, and it was Syam’s third touchdown run of the game.
Baylor took a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter after a Jamyan Theodore 69-yard touchdown catch, but the Red Raiders offense was stymied the rest of the game by the Blue Tornado defense.
McCallie changed the entire vibe of the game with Keeyshawn Tabuteau’s 7-yard touchdown catch on the final play of the first half, cutting Baylor’s lead to 21-6 at the break.
After trading possessions to open the third quarter, McCallie grinded out back-to-back touchdown drives capped by a pair of Syam 1-yard touchdown runs.
McCallie kicker Elliott Arnold missed a 27-yard go-ahead field goal attempt midway through the fourth quarter. But the Blue Tornado got a stop to get the ball back and set up the late dramatics.
Recap the Division II-AAA championship below:
Baylor’s attempt to pitch the ball around turns into a fumble, recovered by McCallie. What a comeback by the Blue Tornado.
Final score: McCallie 27, Baylor 21. McCallie defends its Division II-AAA state championship.
Going to be a lot of people stunned not only by Baylor losing a game, much less one in which it had a 21-0 lead.
McCallie takes the lead with 15 seconds left on Keylan Syam’s third touchdown run of the day to cap a 15-play, 98-yard drive in 5:25. What a drive and what a second half by the Blue Tornado.
Two-point try is good on an Elliott Drapeau carry. The McCallie QB made several key passes on the drive, including three straight completions to move the chains into Baylor territory.
McCallie 27, Baylor 21 with 15 seconds left.
Keylan Syam rushes around the left end on 4th and 2 for a 9-yard gain, so McCallie’s drive continues. What a gutsy call from the Blue Tornado 10-yard line. If McCallie doesn’t convert, Baylor has a prime chance to put the game away.
Baylor was lined up to go for it on 4th and 1 in McCallie territory, but a false start penalty changed the equation. Sam Shutters’ 45-yard punt was downed at the McCallie 2-yard line, so a long way to go for the Blue Tornado with 5:40 remaining.
McCallie kicker Elliott Arnold hooks a 27-yard field goal attempt wide left, and Baylor has an opportunity to re-take the momentum in this game. Still 7:46 to play in regulation. Baylor leads 21-19.
Arnold has been one of the state’s best kickers, making 15-of-17 field goal attempts with a long of 51 per MaxPreps.
The Blue Tornado opted for the field goal try on 4th and 1 from the Baylor 10-yard line.
Baylor running back David Gabriel Georges is helped off the field after an awkward tackle in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s game. Georges had 119 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries before leaving the game.
The TSSAA television broadcast reports Georges has been ruled out for the rest of the game. It appeared that Georges’ ankle was being re-taped when he made it to the sideline.
McCallie’s defense forces a 3-and-out and gets the ball in Baylor territory.
McCallie claws closer, with a 7-play, 75-yard drive capped by a Keylan Syam 1-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion attempt is no good, with Elliott Drapeau tackled short of the goal line.
Plenty of time left, and this is going to be fun fourth quarter.
McCallie fumbles the ball near midfield on the opening drive of the second half, but forces a stop to get it back. Carson Lawrence’s 44-yard catch sets up a Keylan Syam 1-yard touchdown run. PAT good.
Baylor’s offense has been big play or bust so far tonight. It could use another big play coming up.
McCallie gets on the board as time expires in the first half via a Keeyshawn Tabuteau 7-yard touchdown catch. PAT blocked.
The Blue Tornado get the ball to start the second half, so there’s a path toward a competitive second half. Critical score to end the half.
On 3rd and 10 from its own 31, Baylor and its big-play offense strikes again. Briggs Cherry hits a wide open Jamyan Theodore for a 69-yard touchdown pass. PAT good.
Baylor has scored touchdowns in three straight drives.
Baylor QB Briggs Cherry hits Tennessee signee Joakim Dodson in stride on a deep post for a 43-yard touchdown pass. PAT good.
McCallie’s defense is having a lot of trouble keeping up with Baylor’s skill players in the secondary. Been a couple defensive penalties on the McCallie secondary, plus the Dotson TD allowed.
David Gabriel Georges may be the best running back in the state. He rips off a 31-yard touchdown run running through the left side to get Baylor on the board. PAT good.
Gabriel-Georges missed Baylor’s first two playoff games with an injury, but he looks healthy tonight.
The championship games will be televised across the state on these stations (channel numbers over the air, cable channels can be found here):
- Nashville: WUPX MyNetwork TV Channel 30
- Memphis: WMC-TV+ Channel 5.5
- Knoxville: WKNX Channel 7
- Chattanooga: WFLI MyNetwork TV Channel 53.2
- Jackson: Jackson Energy Authority E+ broadband Channel 6 (not OTA)
- Tri-Cities: WCYB.2 CW Network Channel 5.2
All times Eastern; Games in Chattanooga
Thursday, Dec. 5
- Division II-AA: BGA (11-2) vs. CPA (13-0), 11 a.m.
- Division II-A: Nashville Christian (11-1) vs. Columbia Academy (10-3), 3 p.m.
- Division II-AAA: Baylor (12-0) vs. McCallie (10-2), 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 6
- Class 3A: Alcoa (12-1) vs. Westview (13-0), 11 a.m.
- Class 1A: South Pittsburg (12-2) vs. MASE (12-1), 3 p.m.
- Class 5A: Sevier County (14-0) vs. Page (14-0), 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 7
- Class 4A: Macon County (12-2) vs. Melrose (10-3), 11 a.m.
- Class 2A: Marion County (12-2) vs. Milan (13-1), 3 p.m.
- Class 6A: Oakland (13-1) vs. Houston (12-2), 7 p.m.
