McCallie Routs Father Ryan 44-7 in Playoffs
Ben Ironi rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns as McCallie advanced in the TSSAA Division II Class AAA playoffs.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Football
McCallie defeated Father Ryan 44-7 in a TSSAA Division II Class AAA opening-round playoff game at Spears Stadium. The win moved McCallie to 5-6 and sets up a road quarterfinal at Brentwood Academy next Friday.
Why it matters
The victory keeps McCallie's postseason run alive after a difficult regular season. It also gives Chattanooga-area football fans another playoff game to follow as the field narrows.
Ben Ironi rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns, while McCallie's 278 rushing yards outpaced Father Ryan's 55 by more than five times. Brentwood Academy enters next week's game with an 8-2 record.
The players
McCallie School
McCallie School is a private college-preparatory school in Chattanooga, Tennessee, known for its long-standing football program in the TSSAA.
Ben Ironi
Ben Ironi is a McCallie running back whose three-touchdown, 166-yard performance was the central offensive force in the playoff win.
Brentwood Academy
Brentwood Academy is a private school in Brentwood, Tennessee, whose football team will host McCallie in the Division II Class AAA quarterfinals.
The details
McCallie led 29-7 at halftime after Louis Fortier threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Beau Dutton on the final play of the first half. Father Ryan had taken an early 7-0 lead, but a late Father Ryan fumble on a McCallie kickoff set up a scoring drive, and McCallie added two more second-half touchdowns that forced a running clock for much of the fourth quarter.
Timeline
Friday, November 6, 2026: McCallie defeats Father Ryan 44-7 in the opening playoff round.
Friday, November 13, 2026: McCallie plays at Brentwood Academy in the quarterfinals.
Season Trajectory
McCallie's 5-6 record entering the playoffs made the win an unexpected step in a season that had not gone its way. Advancing to the quarterfinals places McCallie among the few remaining Class AAA teams still competing for a state title.
McCallie's quarterfinal at Brentwood Academy next Friday will decide whether the Chattanooga-area team extends its playoff run. Fans planning to attend can expect the game to be played on the road.
The takeaway
McCallie's 44-7 win shows a team with a 5-6 record can still find its footing in the playoffs when its running game takes over. The next test comes on the road against Brentwood Academy.
What happens next
McCallie plays at Brentwood Academy in the Division II Class AAA quarterfinals on Friday, November 13, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local teams, see Football coverage across the Chattanooga area.
