McCallie Blue Tornado
Coach: Ralph Potter (81-43 in 11 years here; 148-75 in 19 years overall)
Last year: 5-6, lost 37-7 to eventual state champion Ensworth in the first round of the playoffs
'13 dreams: The saying is that speed kills, and this will be the fastest team McCallie has fielded in years.The roster includes state 100-meter champ C.J. Fritz, a receiver and defensive back, and junior running back Alex Trotter, who's been clocked at 4.4 in the 40. Any optimism, though, is tempered by a lack of experience. The Blue Tornado return just three offensive and four defensive starters. There is competition at quarterback between London Elrod and Isaac Kay, a transfer from Texas who enrolled in late December. The kicker and punter join the other 2012 returners who will be in their second season with Potter, who returned to McCallie (from Brentwood Academy) following the 2011 season. As with city rival Baylor, McCallie competes in Division II-AA with the likes of Ensworth, MBA and Brentwood Academy.
13-for-13 contenders: Fritz has developed mentally and physically since turning in a 10.59 time in last year's state. Although not in one of the glory positions, Cam Walker will be depended on greatly in both lines. The 6-foot-4, 250-pounder recently clocked a 4.8 40 and could get a lot of looks if he plays as hard as he worked in the offseason. One of the team's anchors will be senior running back and linebacker Andrew Busby, one of the handful of returning starters.
Number of interest: Tyler Payne, No. 13 on the program, was listed as a quarterback for the Blue Tornado but has been moved to slot receiver. The junior has excelled as a shortstop in baseball, where he wears No. 11.
13 years ago: It was a good season although somewhat disappointing at the end. Entering the playoffs the Blue Tornado were 9-1, thanks greatly to quarterback Penn Garvich. However, they couldn't repeat an earlier win over Brentwood Academy and fell to the Eagles 13-10 in two overtimes in a first-round playoff game. They made up for it the next year, going 12-0 and winning the Division II state championship.
Program superstition: It's as much tradition as superstition, but nobody heads for the field without high-fiving the Blue Tornado painted on the wall just outside the locker-room entrance.
1-through-3: Running back Andrew Busby
Q. What's the key to success for McCallie?
A. We have to count on a lot of young guys to step up. I think the seniors have pushed each other and worked hard and set a good example.
Q. What about the league (Division II-AA) that you play in?
A. It's a pretty tough league. I like it, all the tough games we play. You're not going to beat somebody just because they're bad. You're going to have to beat them with hard work and mental preparation.
Q. What's the most important thing you've learned from Coach Potter?
A. Football isn't just a game. It's about stepping up and being a man. He's a coach with a hard shell, but there's a soft side to him. He's a genuine person.
- Ward Gossett
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 at Cleveland
Aug. 30 McMinn County
Sep. 6 Pope John Paul II *
Sep. 13 at Seigel, 8
Sep. 20 Bowling Green
Sep. 27 at Ensworth *
Oct. 4 at Baylor *
Oct. 11 at Brentwood Academy *
Oct. 25 Father Ryan *
Nov. 1 Montgomery Bell Academy *
*Division II East/Middle game
2012 Stats
Passing C-A-I Pct. Yards TDs
Nelson Johnston 64-139-7 1,081 9
Rushing Att. Yards TDs
Chad Toliver 105 922 15
Alex Trotter 74 674 5
Receiving No. Yards TDs
Spencer Morgan 28 529 3
Eric Wolf 15 310 5
Roster
1 Myles Patton Junior
2 Hayes Cape Junior
4 Jon Luke Jenkins Sophomore
5 J.J. Lewis Junior
6 C.J. Fritz Senior
7 Matthew Brock Junior
8 London Elrod Sophomore
9 Isaac Kay Senior
10 Robert Riddle Freshman
11 Spencer Morgan Senior
12 Nic Najjar Sophomore
13 Tyler Payne Junior
14 JaVaughn Craig Sophomore
15 Jay Roberts Sophomore
16 Sam Viscomi Junior
17 Andrew Busby Senior
18 Ryan Edwards Senior
19 Andrew Sharpe Sophomore
20 Paul Silverblatt Junior
21 Henry Rice Freshman
22 Logan Friday Senior
23 Colin O'Brien Sophomore
24 Jeffery Coleman Sophomore
25 Maxim Yeoh Freshman
26 Romeo Gibbs Sophomore
27 Aidan Adair Freshman
28 Peter Briggs Sophomore
29 Gage Peeples Junior
30 Bryan Jones Senior
31 Kendall Watson Freshman
32 Alex Trotter Junior
33 Tanner Green Junior
34 Ryland Chapman Sophomore
35 Drew Viscomi Freshman
36 Jaylen Nowell Freshman
37 Tons Ferguson Sophomore
38 Peter Phillips Senior
39 Garrett Yates Junior
40 Taylor Stutz Sophomore
41 Tanner Winters Junior
42 Logan McCallie Junior
43 Jordan Elam Sophomore
45 Noah Huerta Sophomore
46 Kerrington Wilson Junior
47 Robert Jenkins Junior
48 Buster Burton Junior
49 Gavin Brown Freshman
50 Joey Belisle Sophomore
51 J.J. Moncus Junior
52 Charles Wallace Senior
53 Billy Boardman Junior
54 Charlie Lindeman Senior
55 Tyler Walker Freshman
56 Corey McDonald Sophomore
57 Jake Marsden Sophomore
58 Carson McKoon Sophomore
59 George Devaney Freshman
60 McClendon Curtis Freshman
61 Shea Longshore Junior
62 Clay Long Sophomore
63 Trei Phillips Sophomore
65 Agee Broughton Junior
66 Ethan Cady Sophomore
67 Charlie McLean Freshman
68 Kirsh Duncombe Senior
69 Josh Fleming Freshman
70 Lake Bandy Senior
71 Connor O'Brien Senior
72 Will Patton Sophomore
73 Jack Green Sophomore
74 Patrick Davis Sophomore
75 Cameron Walker Senior
78 Hunter Chance Sophomore
79 Riley Stamper Senior
80 Cruz Bautista Freshman
81 Giovanni Hightower Freshman
82 Braden Lewis Freshman
82 Adrian Thomas Sophomore
83 Blaine Pritchett Freshman
85 Evan Elinger Freshman
86 Jacob Groothuis Sophomore
87 Tyler Wilks Junior
88 Walker Frederick Sophomore
89 John Hooper Senior
98 Garrett Lunn Freshman
99 Braden Lewis Freshman