One of the most successful varsity football seasons in McCallie School history ended one game shy of the TSSAA Division II-AAA state title game.
After owning a 7-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter Friday night at Memphis University School - thanks to a 21-yard scoring run from junior quarterback DeAngelo Hardy and Stone Roebuck's extra-point kick in the opening period - the Blue Tornado could not keep the Owls out of the end zone in the final 12 minutes, losing 10-7.
Though McCallie (10-2) once again finished a game this season with a big advantage in rushing yards, outgaining MUS 125-23 on the ground, Owls quarterback Sellers Shy passed for 248 yards despite being intercepted twice.
The Blue Tornado also had two fumbles, losing both.
Hunter Kendall scored on a 2-yard run to give MUS (11-0) the lead for good with 9:13 to go in the game. George Howard also kicked a 28-yard field goal and converted the Owls' lone PAT.
Hardy gained 76 yards on 23 carries, and he was 5-for-15 passing for 69 yards and was sacked twice. Shy completed 22 of 34 passes and was sacked three times.
McCallie's defense put together another strong performance to close a stellar year. The Blue Tornado gave up more than 14 points in a game just twice this season with a defensive unit that featured nine senior starters.
MUS advances to the Nov. 30 title game at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, where the Owls will face Brentwood Academy (10-2), a 28-6 winner over Montgomery Bell Academy in Friday's other DII-AAA semifinal. MBA had topped Brentwood Academy 25-24 on Oct. 19.
In the regular season, McCallie beat Brentwood Academy 31-27 and lost 34-14 to MBA.
MUS beat MBA 22-13 on Sept. 7 and is facing Brentwood Academy for the first time this season. Brentwood Academy has won 11 state titles, including the past two.