Expect to see a plethora of running plays in the Region IV 5A-Division II in a battle of unbeatens at the Alaomodome when Calallen and Austin McCallum lock heads at noon on Saturday.
Calallen comes in to San Antonio averaging 365.7 yards per game on the ground, while McCallum running back Alex Julian is amongst the Region IV leaders in rushing with his 2,282 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on the season along with a 10.1 yard per carry average. Julian has six 200-yard performances this season.
The District 30-5A champion have three big time playmakers in quarterback Colton Duff, running back Alex Brown, and Zach Hawkins. Brown leads the team in rushing with 1,811 yards and 22 touchdowns, Duff has chipped in with 1.160 rushing yards and 31 total touchdowns on the campaign, while Hawkins has 886 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
This will be Calallen’s 15th appearance in the Region IV Final, with the Wildcats compiling an 11-3 record under head coach Phil Danaher.
Along with Julian on an offense that averages 50.8 points per game this season, 6’5 senior quarterback Max Perez has rushed for 1,204 yards, thrown for 1,050 yards, and has accounted for 36 touchdowns.
Junior Daron Gage is another option for the Knights with 970 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns rushing along with five touchdown receptions. Texas baseball commit Mason Bryant, a 6’5 senior, averages 27.7 yards per catch and has hauled in six touchdowns on only 15 catches.
Calallen is hoping a talented defense that has recorded 38 sacks and has picked off 15 passes can put pressure on Perez when they have to throw. Junior linebacker Seth Kelley leads the team with 19 tackles for loss, while Justin Escobar has 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
UIL Region IV Final
Calallen (13-0) vs. Austin McCallum (13-0) – Alamodome, San Antonio
Time: Noon
Radio: KKTX-AM HERE
TV: KBVO-TV (Austin)
