Gabriel Georges Powers Baylor Past McCallie in Instant Classic, 38–35

Written By: Jay Pace (@TheRealJayPace)

Chattanooga, Tennessee:

Who needs Hollywood when you have Baylor vs McCallie? Who needs fantasy when reality delivers like this?

In a rivalry that has seen just about everything in its 120 year history, Baylor’s David Gabriel Georges added his name to the long list of legends born from this storied matchup.

The best back in the country?

Gabriel Georges, a hulking 6 foot 1, 200 pound junior running back, gashed a notoriously sound Blue Tornado defense for 280 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries in 38-35 victory.

And to think, there was considerable speculation as to whether he would even suit up due to an injury he suffered earlier this season. Despite a noticeable limp during pregame warmups, and throughout the game, he still managed to put the team on his back and will them to victory.

Oh my, if he were at 100 percent.

An early defensive slugfest turned into a second half shootout, with Gabriel Georges, Tennessee’s reigning Mr. Football, serving as the primary weapon in a loaded Red Raiders arsenal.

“David is a monster,” said Baylor quarterback Briggs Cherry. “He is the best running back in the country.”

And judging by the few thousand in attendance Friday night at Spears Stadium, plenty would agree.

Punched In The Mouth

McCallie struck first, and hard, scoring on consecutive possessions. A 20 yard run by RB Xavier Fillion and an 88 yard bomb from QB Louis Fortier to Keeyshawn Tabuteau built a 14 to 0 lead early in the second quarter.

Baylor got punched in the mouth, and responded.

The Red Raiders ripped off 24 unanswered points to take a 10 point lead less than a minute into the second half. The last of those came at the 11:40 mark of the third quarter when Cherry connected with Jamyan Theodore on a 72 yard touchdown, his longest pass of the night.

Cherry, a four star Louisville commit, finished 16 of 25 for 244 yards and two touchdowns.

McCallie Responds

The Blue Tornadoes punched back, scoring 14 unanswered points of their own. A quarterback sneak from Drapeau and a one yard run by Kris Lloyd with 9:58 remaining helped them reclaim the lead, 28 to 24.

The lead would swap hands twice more, setting the stage for an unforgettable finish.

Cherry On Top

Trailing 35 to 31 with under two minutes to play, Cherry rolled right and lofted a perfect pass to Kaiden Dewey in the corner of the end zone. The score capped a drive that lasted nearly four minutes and lifted Baylor to a thrilling 38 to 35 victory, the program’s first win at McCallie since 1996.

“What I’m doing is more important than how I feel,” said Cherry amid a mob scene near midfield after the game, when asked about the play. “I just believe in this team, and I believe in Coach Kimrey’s play calling.”

Behind the heart and heroics of David Gabriel Georges and the poise of quarterback Briggs Cherry, Baylor proved why championship teams are built on toughness, belief, and brotherhood.

On a night filled with emotion and legacy, the Red Raiders didn’t just win a football game, they made history.