Saturday Afternoons Are Good For McCallie Football
by B.B. Branton
posted September 13, 2008
Winning at Spears Stadium on Saturday afternoons in the fall is a double edged sword for McCallie and head football coach Rick Whitt.
The host Blue Tornado defeated Charlotte County Day, 19-11, Saturday at the friendly confines of Spears Stadium in a rare Saturday afternoon game.
"It was a good win for us, but playing today cuts into our preparation time for next week's home game with Father Ryan game (Friday September 19),'' said Whitt whose team improves to 2-2 on the season.
McCallie agreed to the 1 p.m. kickoff today so the Bucs for North Carolina would not miss an entire day of classes.
McCallie has won its last three Saturday afternoon games at Spears Stadium, albeit over an 11-year period.
In 2001, the Blue Tornado swamped Knoxville Catholic, 56-3, (September 15) which was the Saturday after 9/11.
In 1998, McCallie beat arch rival Baylor, 35-3, (Saturday October 24) in the last home on-campus game in that storied rivalry.
Saturday, McCallie rallied twice to edge the previously unbeaten Bucs (2-1) two days after the 7th anniversary of 9/11.
McCallie had second half touchdown runs by Joey Skogan (third quarter) and John Brock (fourth quarter) and an interception return for a touchdown by linebacker Paden Gaines (fourth quarter).
Ben Rhyne's 27-yard field goal gave Charlotte Country Day a 3-0 lead at 3:43 of the first quarter.
McCallie led 6-3 at the end of three, following Skogan's 1-yard touchdown run, only to see CCD regain the lead at 11-6 mid through the final quarter.
The Blue Tornado took the lead for good on Gaines seven yard interception return for a 12-11 advantage.
Brock scored in the final two minutes for a 19-11 lead.
Skogan led all rushers with 100 yards, followed by Brock with 73, while the Bucs were led by Michael Watterson (63 yards and back-up quarterback Morgan Roberts (47).
"McCallie ran the ball well and eventually wore us down,'' said CCD coach Mike Whitt. "It was pretty hot out there and we have alot of guys who play both ways.''
QB Injury: CCD starter Hedley Jennings left the game for good in the second quarter due to a shoulder injury sustained while playing defense. Roberts stepped in and led the Bucs to a fourth quarter touchdown drive.
''Roberts had not played much this season prior to today, so he was pretty much an unknown factor for our defense.'' said Whitt. ''He ran the ball well (47 yards) and kept us off balance at times.''
Home-and-Home: McCallie will play at CCD in 2009 and both coaches are open to another two year contract after 2009.
Charlotte Country Day 3 0 0 8 = 11
McCallie 0 0 6 13 = 19
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net
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