By David Wells
Father Ryan will be facing a familiar opponent as it hosts McCallie Friday night in the first round of the TSSAA playoffs.
The game is a rematch of their Week 9 matchup when Father Ryan travelled to Chattanooga and defeated the Blue Tornados 34-18 on the road. In that game, Father Ryan won behind a team rushing attack of 203 yards and a 20-point second quarter that put the Fightin’ Irish up for good.
Both teams are coming off losses, Father Ryan to Baylor and McCallie to Montgomery Bell Academy. The Panthers lead late against the Red Raiders, but a fourth-quarter touchdown gave Baylor the 14-10 advantage.
Father Ryan’s main offensive success has been on the ground so far this season, with Joseph Holzmer leading the team with 599 yards and Billy Nipp with five rushing touchdowns.
However, junior quarterback Cameron Towns has lead a strong passing attack as well, completing 75 of 165 passing attempts for 1,182 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
McCallie made the Division II playoffs despite losing its last seven games after starting the season 3-0. Its last win was on Sept. 6, a 48-7 rout of Pope John Paul II.
