News Summary
In a thrilling contest, Ensworth defeated McCallie 20-10, marking their first win against the team after four consecutive losses. Ensworth’s quarterback led the charge with a pivotal touchdown, while McCallie struggled with critical penalties and missed opportunities. The defeat brings McCallie’s record to 3-1, reflecting their first setback this season. Looking forward, both teams are gearing up for their next matches, with McCallie aiming to regain form against Mission Viejo.
Nashville, TN – McCallie School experienced its first setback of the season, losing to Ensworth 20-10 in a clash on Friday night at Daily Stadium. The defeat drops McCallie’s record to 3-1, while Ensworth improves to an equal 3-1 after snapping a four-game losing streak to McCallie, a team that has been dominant in the DII-AAA division.
Ensworth’s victory marks a significant milestone for the Tigers, who had been defeated by McCallie in their previous encounter in November 2024. This year’s game demonstrated their improved performance, especially in the closing moments when junior defensive back Quinn Taylor intercepted a pass from McCallie quarterback Louis Fortier on the five-yard line with just 43 seconds remaining. This crucial play secured the victory for Ensworth.
Ensworth quarterback Taylor Hasselbeck played a pivotal role, scoring the game-winning touchdown with a decisive 36-yard rush less than two minutes before the end. This victory gives Ensworth confidence as they shift their focus to future games, looking to keep up their winning momentum.
The Tigers began the game strong, with EJ Gibson scoring the first touchdown on a 9-yard run in the second quarter. Just before halftime, Hasselbeck connected with tight end Eli Wilt on a 6-yard touchdown pass, extending the Tigers’ lead to 14-0. McCallie managed to get on the board with a 43-yard field goal from Ben Brewer, leaving the score at 14-3 going into halftime.
After the break, McCallie started to close the gap, thanks to a rushing touchdown by Kris Lloyd from just 2 yards out, bringing the score to 14-10 in the third quarter. Despite outgaining Ensworth in total yardage, with 293 yards compared to the Tigers’ 217 yards, McCallie’s inability to capitalize on key moments proved detrimental.
McCallie’s game was marred by a series of critical penalties that allowed Ensworth to maintain crucial possessions during the final minutes of play. Key calls for roughing the passer and facemask infractions against McCallie prevented them from regaining control of the game when it mattered most.
Looking ahead, McCallie is set to face off against Mission Viejo at 7:00 p.m. next Friday, while Ensworth will take on Lipscomb Academy at the same time. Both teams will be keen to harness the lessons learned from this matchup as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
The backdrop to this week’s game included a rivalry that highlighted the contrasting standings of McCallie, known for its many accolades, including five appearances in the last six DII-AAA state championship games and consecutive state titles, versus Ensworth, a non-boarding school looking to reclaim its former glory. Ensworth has not won a state championship since 2013, and players expressed a desire to build on the motivation stemming from previous losses, including last year’s playoff defeat to McCallie, which made this game feel particularly personal.
In preparation for this match, the Ensworth team watched footage from their last encounter against McCallie to fine-tune their strategy. Head coach Tim Hasselbeck, a former ESPN analyst, recognized the significance of this victory for a non-boarding school competing against a prestigious boarding school like McCallie, underscoring the competitive edge that comes from overcoming such challenges.
As the season progresses, both teams will be looking to solidify their positions in the league, with McCallie aiming to bounce back from this loss and keep their championship aspirations alive.
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HERE Resources
McCallie Blue Tornado Reveals 2025 Football Schedule
Additional Resources
- Tennessean: Tennessee High School Football Super 25 Rankings Week 5
- MaxPreps: McCallie’s Undefeated Season Over After Four Games
- Dispatch: Ensworth Upsets McCallie
- Times Free Press: Tennessee Prep Football Roundup
- Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
