Prediction: McCallie School (Tenn.) repeats as D-II AAA champs

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in less than six weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we make our way to the Volunteer State where McCallie School sits as the state’s No. 1 team heading into the season. The Blue Tornado’s roster returns a bevy of talent and should be the odds on favorite to win Tennessee’s Division II AAA state championship. McCallie has the talent, but can they keep the field at bay on its quest to the top again?

Player Spotlight: WR Keeyshawn Tabuteau

The 6-foot, 175-pound senior wide receiver committed to Vanderbilt just under a month ago after a solid junior campaign. Keeyshawn Tabuteau had a strong 2024 season, as the future Commodore hauled in a team-high 41 passes for 685 yards and six touchdowns. Playing in his final season at McCallie, Tabuteau will be the go-to-receiver on offense and creating double teams on a weekly basis will help free up his fellow pass catchers.

Others to watch: OL Moussa Seck, WR Mylz Williams, LB Gabe Abercrombie, OL Landon Bales

Season Prediction: 8-2

Many of our season predictions to date have each team losing a game or two. Well, add this one to the list. McCallie School going undefeated here is as tough as it gets as they play one of the state’s toughest schedules. The Blue Tornadoes have the horses to get them to the finish line of being the top dog in Tennessee, but it won’t be an easy task. Playing teams like in-state power Baylor School, Lipscomb Academy and California’s Mission Viejo makes this a very difficult schedule. Don’t worry McCallie fans, this will only make this bunch more difficult to defeat in the Division II AAA playoffs. We see the Blue Tornadoes taking full advantage of the regular season battles and turning them into learning lessons en route to winning another state crown.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Aug. 22 – at Lipscomb Academy (Tenn.) Mustangs – W
The 6-time state champions head into Nashville and walk away with a 30-20 win to start the season.

Aug. 29 – Hebron Christian Academy (Ga.) Lions – W
McCallie School faces another out-of-the-state opponent and passes with flying colors.

Sept. 5 – Father Ryan (Tenn.) Fighting Irish – W
The Blue Tornado makes quick work of the Fighting Irish ahead of a big tilt versus Ensworth.

Sept. 12 – at Ensworth (Tenn.) Tigers – W
In the toughest game to date and right before a home date against Mission Viejo (Calif.).

Sept. 19 – Mission Viejo (Calif.) Diablos – L
First loss of the season comes against a nationally-ranked opponent in the Diablos at home.

Sept. 26 – Heidelberg (Miss.) Oilers – W
McCallie doesn’t let the loss linger for another week as they roll to a blowout victory over Heidelberg.

Oct. 3 – Baylor School (Tenn.) Red Raiders – L
A rematch of last year’s Division II AAA state championship game goes to the Red Raiders in a 1-point decision.

Oct. 17 – at Knoxville Catholic (Tenn.) Fighting Irish – W
No 2-game losing streak here as the Blue Tornado rolls to win No. 6 on the season.

Oct. 24 – Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.) Big Red – W
There’s no issues at all for McCallie as they look to end the season strong heading into the playoffs.

Oct. 31 – Christ Presbyterian Academy (Tenn.) Lions – W
The Blue Tornado caps the regular season with a rout of the Lions.