Pope John Paul II QB Ben Brooks rushes against McCallie during Friday’s game.
HENDERSONVILLE Pope John Paul II had a chance to clinch a home playoff game for the first time since 2006 with a win over visiting McCallie, or a Baylor loss to Montgomery Bell Academy.
However, the Blue Tornado were rude guests as their offense dominated in a 67-35 win over the Knights.
Five things from the Knights’ loss:
Gone with the win
To say that the McCallie (6-3, 3-2 in D II-AA East/Middle Region) offense set the pace would be an understatement. To say that it was a frantic pace may be an even bigger understatement.
The Blue Tornado amassed 628 yards of offense as PJP II (5-4, 2-4) struggled for answers to the McCallie onslaught.
One thing that helped McCallie light up the scoreboard was offensive balance. The Blue Tornado rushed for 323 yards while they picked up 305 more through the air.
PJP II coach Justin Geisinger knew that the McCallie offense would cause many problems.
“They have some great players on that side of the ball, and coach Ralph Potter knows how to use them, and they do a great job,” Geisinger said. “They did a lot of good things tonight, and are tough for anyone to stop.”
Blue Tornado touchdown
McCallie running back Xavier Brooks spent a lot of time on the field. He spent a majority of his evening in the end zone.
The junior running back scored five touchdowns for McCallie while picking up 177 yards on 21 carries.
Brooks did most of his damage in the first half, rushing 12 times for 138 yards during the first two quarters.
Fellow running back Tyrik Stewart also had some success in the McCallie backfield. Stewart picked up 76 yards on six carries and a 13-yard score just before halftime.
McCallie’s Rico Dozier makes a leaping reception over Pope John Paul II’s Jamaal Thompson during Friday’s game.
Knights in shining armor
The PJP II ground game struggled with 61 yards on 31 carries, but the Knights found some help in the passing game.
Quarterback Ben Brooks was 18-of-29 for 270 yards and a pair of touchdowns, as well as a rushing touchdown.
Brooks’ favorite target was C.J. Laws, who reeled in seven catches for 164 yards – highlighted by a 64-yard touchdown reception where Laws took the pass over the middle and out ran the two McCallie safeties to the end zone.
Just passing through
McCallie quarterback Robert Riddle picked up some frequent flier miles at the Jim Carell Athletic Complex on Friday night.
Riddle was a near flawless 15-of-17 passing for 305 yards and three touchdowns.
Riddle’s favorite targets were Rico Dozier and Walker Fannon who did most of the damage for the McCallie receiving corps.
Dozier caught three passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Dozier’s 72-yard touchdown reception from Riddle gave the Blue Tornado a 22-7 lead after the Knights pulled to within a score midway through the first quarter. Dozier also nabbed a 34-yard scoring toss from Riddle.
Walker had a team-high six catches for 110 yards and a 22-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.
You can go home again
Though the Knights lost, MBA defeated Baylor 31-10, which gives PJP II a first-round home contest. The Knights will host their first home playoff game since a 34-33 loss to Knoxville Webb in the D II-AA semifinals in 2006.
Despite this, Geisinger did not want to talk about his team’s playoff position.
“We took a step back tonight, and we need to focus on just next week before we do anything else,” Geisinger said. “We did not play well tonight, and we need to take a look at ourselves, and how hard we’re playing. We had some good individual efforts tonight, but this is not an individual game.”
PJP II finishes its regular season next week by hosting South Warren High School (Ky.).