CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. | NSBNsports.com | August 14, 2026 — McCallie enters the 2026 high school football season reloading a program that has remained among Tennessee’s most successful while continuing to produce college-level talent.
The Blue Tornado finished 10-3 overall and reached the Division II-AAA state semifinals for the eighth consecutive season in 2025. McCallie scored 484 points, earned notable victories over Mission Viejo, Montgomery Bell Academy and Christ Presbyterian Academy and defeated Father Ryan and Briarcrest Christian in the playoffs before falling to eventual champion Baylor.
McCallie has won five state championships since 2019, capturing titles in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024. The program’s departing senior class finished 43-9 with two region championships and two state titles during its four seasons.
Twelve members of last season’s team committed to play college football. The group included three-star receiver Keeyshawn Tabuteau, who signed with Wisconsin, offensive lineman Daniel Cepicky, who signed with Kennesaw State, and two-way lineman Jaden Hudgins-Key, who committed to Southern Illinois. Long snapper Nelson Williams continued McCallie’s Power Four recruiting success by joining Colorado.
A younger group will now take on larger roles. Junior quarterback Louis Fortier moves into the starting position after passing for 893 yards and nine touchdowns in reserve duty last season.
Senior running back Xavier Fillion returns after rushing for 799 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 22 receptions for 220 yards and another score. Fillion has received an offer from UT Martin.
Offensive lineman Titus Tervanen is another of McCallie’s leading 2027 recruits. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound senior has collected Division I offers from programs including Tulane, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, Coastal Carolina, Buffalo, Samford and several others. Tight end Axel Yobo has received offers from UT Martin and Tennessee State as McCallie’s next group of prospects continues to attract college attention.
The Blue Tornado will face another ambitious schedule that includes opponents from Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. McCallie opens with four consecutive home games before hosting Mallard Creek and Loudoun Sports Academy later in September.
Region play begins Oct. 2 with the annual rivalry game at Baylor. The regular season concludes with three consecutive Division II-AAA East contests against Knoxville Catholic, Montgomery Bell Academy and Christ Presbyterian Academy.
2026 McCallie football schedule
Aug. 21: vs. Lipscomb Academy, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28: vs. St. Mary’s Ryken, 7 p.m.
Sept. 4: at Father Ryan, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11: vs. Ensworth, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18: vs. Mallard Creek, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25: vs. Loudoun Sports Academy, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2: at Baylor, 7 p.m.
Oct. 16: vs. Knoxville Catholic, 7 p.m.
Oct. 23: at Montgomery Bell Academy, 7 p.m.
Oct. 30: at Christ Presbyterian Academy, 7 p.m.
All dates and times are subject to change. Select McCallie games may be broadcast this season by the Southeast Sports Network. Broadcast selections and viewing information will be announced through SESNsports.com and SESNsports.com/HowToWatch.
This preview includes schedule, recruiting and 2025 season information from McCallie School, MaxPreps and trusted recruiting and sports media sources.
For more sports news, features and entertainment, visit NSBNsports.com. The National Sports Broadcast Network is a Schray Media platform dedicated to delivering live sports coverage, original programming and stories from across the sports world. Follow NSBN on X @NSBNsports or connect with NSBN on Facebook.
