Friday, October 03, 2008
- by B.B. Branton
McCallie football seniors of the class of 2009 didn't want an asterick beside their names as the ones who ended the long winning streak against crosstown rival Baylor.
Fittingly, on Senior Night those 24 Blue Tornado seniors playing in their final regular season game with Baylor were a major part in a 24-3 victory at Finley Stadium Friday night.
McCallie (4-3, 2-2) has now won 11 straight games against the Red Raiders (2-4, 0-3). The last time Baylor won in the series (1997), McCallie seniors were in the first grade.
Senior running back Joey Skogen led all rushers with 182 yards, along with the game's first touchdown.
Senior Jay Fullam was a game changer with his third quarter interception for a touchdown and a McCallie lead of 17-3.
Senior John Brock had a perfect night kicking with two extra points and a second quarter field goal (25 yards) for a 10-0 lead. He also rushed for 81 yards on 13 carries, including a fourth quarter 18-yard touchdown run.
Senior defensive back James Cupo had a second half interception.
"I told our players that everyone needs to share the burden and that our winning did not rest on one players' shoulders,'' said McCallie coach Rick Whitt. "Our guys came to play and the final score shows that.''
"It's pretty nice to say that we've (McCallie seniors) never lost to Baylor,'' said Fullam. "We beat them every year in football since the sixth grade.''
Entering the game, ball control and minimize the turnovers were keys to victory.
McCallie led in first downs (20-15), rushing yards (293-152), total yards (366-267) and fewer turnovers (1 for McCallie and three for Baylor). Baylor led in passing yards (115-73) and time of possession (27:32 to 20:28).
In evaluating the game Baylor coach Phil Massey said, ''Physically, McCallie whipped us up front.''
The Red Raider standouts were Mac Ferguson who recovered a McCallie fumble in the third quarter and running back Sam Williams who rushed for 156 yards on 35 carries.
After 75 games, Baylor leads the series 37-35-3 in a series which started in 1905.
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net