Magical Championship Comeback for McCallie

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Blue Tornado needed every minute on the clock to pull in their 2nd straight title after an outstanding come from behind victory over their rival Baylor. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winning culture reared its head in last night's D2-Class AAA title game where McCallie came from 21 points down to defeat their cross town rival Baylor, 27-21 in what became a classic Blue Cross Bowl game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Almost the entire game, McCallie trailed the Red Raiders but found a lot of juice in the second half to make a roaring comeback to win back to back state titles. It was a comeback many didn't see coming, especially with the Blue Tornado trailing at halftime, 21-0 but McCallie kept their head, focused and did all the right things needed to pull off the victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first half, everything looked up for Baylor as they moved the ball with ease, scoring 21 points by way of the run game from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1210671' first='David' last='Gabriel-Georges'] </strong>and efficient passing from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222957' first='Briggs' last='Cherry']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1319808,"width":"264px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/bcherry.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1319808" style="width:264px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Raiders seemed to have no problem moving the football. They had the McCallie defense on their heels throughout the first half with the possibility of Baylor playing their way into a rout. It was an impressive opening half from the team in red but I think a last minute touchdown reception from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='986024' first='Keeyshawn' last='Tabuteau'] </strong>to put the score at 21-6 going into the break was huge for the team's morale and chances going into the second half.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a whole new mindset and approach in the second period that proved to be the recipe needed for McCallie. They leaned on the power running style of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='892340' first='Keylan' last='Syam'] </strong>to control the ball while the Blue Tornado defense changed things around completely and shut out the Red Raiders offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baylor did not score a point in the second half and that's an impressive feat, considering how loaded and talented the Red Raiders offense is. It was a slow drip of fails for Baylor during the second period while McCallie stayed true to Syam and their run game while <strong>Elliot Drapeau </strong>made the occasional pass.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trailing 21-20 with less than one minute to go, McCallie marched down field to put themselves in position for a winning field goal but instead of three, Syam found the end zone to put seven points on the board and put the Blue Tornado ahead for good, 27-21.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1573951,"width":"343px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/clawrence2.jpg?w=640" alt="" class="wp-image-1573951" style="width:343px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Raiders had one last chance to do something but were stopped on the final play of the game. It was a magical comeback for McCallie that should go down as a classic Blue Cross Bowl game for the ages.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Besides the new approach, I simply think the winning culture embedded inside the McCallie program won this game. They refused to lose, especially for a second time this year to Baylor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This championship for the Blue Tornado became their 2nd in a row and fifth in the last six years. It's been a near dominating run for McCallie that may continue into next season as a lot of their key components from this year's team returns for the 2025 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player of the Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["892340"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67534dbb68d2b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Throughout the 2024 playoffs, Syam has been a man on a mission. He has become the team's bell cow back and his power running was definitely needed in last night's come from behind win over Baylor. His running proved to be a difference maker in the 2nd half as he ran through the Red Raiders defense on the way to 175 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Those three scores all came in the 2nd half to turn the game around with his final touchdown putting the Blue Tornado up for good. Syam definitely earned MVP honors due to his play, strength and will power to push his team to victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1545797"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67534dbb68dca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This senior linebacker was a force on the Blue Tornado defense that came up with some big stops in the second half versus a talented Baylor offense. Robert has quietly had a strong senior season that concluded with a stellar performance in the biggest game of the season. His work against the Red Raiders run game was of most importance where he and a few others basically shut down their ground attack, which definitely helped the Blue Tornado pull out the win and take home the D2-Class AAA title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Helmet Stickers&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='219372' first='Carson' last='Lawrence'] - McCallie: </strong>This future Vanderbilt only produced 3 receptions for 63 yards but made some crucial 2nd half catches along with playing lockdown coverage on the back end. His play on defense was perfect in the second period as the Red Raiders had a hard time finding open receivers with a lot of it due to Lawrence.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='986024' first='Keeyshawn' last='Tabuteau'] - McCallie:&nbsp; </strong>The first half ended with a clutch touchdown reception from Tabuteau that gave life to the offense and the entire team. He ended the night with a team leading seven receptions for 67 yards and that first half touchdown. His play out wide proved to be a difference maker in this game and a glimpse of what's to come next year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='222957' first='Briggs' last='Cherry'] - Baylor: </strong>It might not have been his best performance of the year but Cherry was still quite solid and a big reason behind the team's 21-0 start. The Red Raiders junior quarterback threw for 221 yards for the night on 15 completions while tossing two touchdowns through the air. The 2nd half was a struggle for his offense but I still thought Cherry had a solid performance on the big stage.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='220241' first='Joakim' last='Dodson'] - Baylor: </strong>This futureTennessee Volunteer flashed early in the first half, showing why he is the #1 rated receiver coming out of the #TN2025 class, using his speed and dynamic abilities to get behind the Blue Tornado defense. Dodson didn't do too much in the 2nd half but he did enough damage in the 1st period to make his place in this article.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (DB) De'Shun Tipton - McCallie: </strong>A consistent performer throughout the 2024 season, Tipton put forth another strong performance last night where he made several plays on the ball while producing seven tackles. This Blue Tornado defensive back competed hard throughout the night, doing everything he could to lock down his side of the field and overall, Tipton handled business very well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1549030,"width":"282px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/dtipton2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1549030" style="width:282px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->