SOTG SPI: McCallie Takes the Top Spot, Baylor Right Behind

Read Time:6 Minute, 32 Second

We gave you the first-ever SOTG Public School Top 15.

Now it’s time for the private schools.

And if you thought the public-school rankings were going to create some conversation.

WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THIS.

Three weeks are in the books, and the first SOTG Performance Index Private School Top 7 is officially here.

Remember: SPI isn’t an eye-test ranking.

It isn’t about the biggest name, preseason expectations or who we think would win a hypothetical matchup.

What have you done THIS season?

That’s the question.

And after our Week 4 audit, we’ve got an extremely tight race at the top.

CLASS IS IN SESSION!

1. McCallie (3-0) — SPI: 56.58

Through 3 Weeks: 3-0 | 117 points scored | 57 allowed

McCallie grabs the chair in the first-ever SOTG Private School Top 7.

But it hasn’t been easy.

The Blue Tornado needed overtime to beat Lipscomb Academy 27-24, exploded for 67 points against St. Mary’s Ryken and then rallied from a 16-9 deficit to beat Father Ryan 23-16. McCallie scored the final 14 points against Father Ryan despite three first-half turnovers.

SOTG Spotlight: QB Louis Fortier is averaging 340.7 passing yards and 350.7 total yards per game through three games, while RB Macc Chapin is averaging 93.3 rushing yards. WR Mikey Bartlett is averaging 133 receiving yards per game. Also we can’t forget about speedy WRs Levi Scott and Patrick “PatPat” Meyers they both received offers from Memphis this week.

McCallie has shown us three different things already: it can survive a close one, blow somebody out and come from behind.

Up Next: vs. Ensworth — Friday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. at Spears Stadium.

THE BLUE TORNADO HAS THE CHAIR. WHO’S TAKING IT?

2. Baylor (3-0) — SPI: 55.46

Through 3 Weeks: 3-0 | 126 points scored | 65 allowed

And here’s where the conversation gets FUN.

Baylor is undefeated.

Baylor has scored 37 or more points in every game.

And Baylor is still No. 2.

The Red Raiders opened with a 38-20 win over Brentwood Academy, beat Loudoun Sports Academy 37-12 and then went on the road and dropped 51 points on Rabun Gap.

SOTG Spotlight: If you’re talking Baylor, you have to talk about David Gabriel Georges. The five-star Tennessee commit ran for three touchdowns against Rabun Gap. QB Keegan Croucher, an Ole Miss commit, threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers in that same 51-33 victory. Also Antwaun “Cornbread” Adams has emerged as one of the top WRs in the country.

And before anybody starts yelling at SOTG

McCallie and Baylor are separated by only 1.12 SPI points.

That’s not a comfortable lead.

Up Next: Baylor travels to Trinity (Ky.) on Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.

THIS RACE IS JUST GETTING STARTED.

3. Notre Dame (2-1) — SPI: 53.22

Through 3 Weeks: 2-1 | 84 points scored | 58 allowed

Don’t overlook the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame opened by handling Grace Baptist 48-6 and then picked up a 22-21 road win over Rhea County.

The Irish suffered their first loss last week, 31-14 at CAK, but that 2-1 résumé keeps them right in the thick of this thing.

SOTG Spotlight: Wr Jacorrion Tramble the Toledo commit is a play-maker for the Irish and they look for him in big time moments. Furthermore, Chatt Prep transfer came up big for the Irish on the road against Rhea County with 93 yards 2td and 1 sack in the comeback win.
And look at what’s next…

Up Next: NOTRE DAME AT BOYD BUCHANAN.

Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.

SOTG Game of the Week

No. 3 vs. No. 5 in our private-school SPI rankings.

SOMEBODY’S RÉSUMÉ IS GETTING STRONGER FRIDAY NIGHT.

4. Silverdale (2-1) — SPI: 51.56

Through 3 Weeks: 2-1 | 68 points scored | 73 allowed

NOW THIS IS WHERE SPI GETS REALLY INTERESTING.

Silverdale’s record says 2-1.

Look deeper.

The Seahawks opened with a 34-27 loss to undefeated Tyner, then beat South Pittsburg 14-13 and followed it with another one-point victory, 27-26 at Webb.

That means Silverdale has already played two teams sitting near the top of our public-school SPI board—and owns a victory over South Pittsburg.

SOTG Spotlight: RB/LB Jackson Deitch leads Silverdale at 61 rushing yards per game, has two touchdowns and averages 10 tackles per game. Luke Burger has two sacks, while Cannon Rogers has an interception.

Silverdale isn’t just hanging around.

THE SEAHAWKS HAVE A RÉSUMÉ.

Up Next: vs. Grace Christian Academy-Knoxville — Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.

And Grace Christian is coming off a 43-0 win over Chattanooga Christian.

So Silverdale gets another opportunity immediately.

5. Boyd Buchanan (2-1) — SPI: 49.44

Through 3 Weeks: 2-1 | 67 points scored | 49 allowed

Boyd came out SWINGING.

The Bucs opened with consecutive shutouts, beating Mt. Paran Christian 34-0 and Chattanooga Prep 33-0.

Then came the other side of football.

Undefeated Lakeway Christian handed Boyd its first loss, 49-0.

Now we find out how the Bucs respond.

And they don’t get an easy bounce-back game.

Up Next: vs. No. 3 Notre Dame — Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.

The SOTG Game of the Week is one of the biggest games on the private-school SPI board this week.

WIN THAT ONE AND WATCH WHAT HAPPENS TO THIS RÉSUMÉ.

6. Chattanooga Christian (1-2) — SPI: 38.75

Through 3 Weeks: 1-2 | 41 points scored | 115 allowed

Here’s another reason we don’t just look at records.

CCS opened by beating Ooltewah 34-28.

Since then?

Tyner. Grace Christian.

The Chargers lost 44-7 to Tyner before Grace Christian beat them 43-0.

That’s a BRUTAL two-game stretch.

SOTG Spotlight: RB/LB Alex Swopes is averaging 63.3 rushing yards per game and has two rushing touchdowns. CCS has leaned heavily on the ground game: the Chargers rushed for 195 yards against Ooltewah, 133 against Tyner and 171 against Grace Christian.

The record says 1-2.

The schedule tells you a little more.

Up Next: vs. Westminster (Ga.) — Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.

7. Grace Baptist (0-3) — SPI: 22.22

Through 3 Weeks: 0-3 | 20 points scored | 134 allowed

Grace Baptist is still searching for Win No. 1.

But look at who the Golden Eagles have already seen.

Notre Dame.

Undefeated East Ridge.

Providence Christian Academy.

Grace lost 48-6 to Notre Dame, 51-7 to East Ridge and 35-7 to Providence Christian.

Can the Golden Eagles break through?