There was simply no way for the game to live up to all the hype.

And then it did.

Perhaps the most impressive takeaway from Thursday night's TSSAA Division II-AAA BlueCross Bowl state championship showdown — even more than the 18,149 fans who packed Finley Stadium — was how, from start to finish, players on both sides continually produced plays worthy of the 13-day buildup for such a historic event.

Baylor and McCallie had combined for 881 yards of total offense, with touchdown plays of 64, 63 and 41 yards — plus a fumble return of 97 yards for another score — but in the end, it was just a single yard that helped decide the outcome.

Facing fourth-and-12 near midfield, Baylor quarterback Whit Muschamp — who threw for 258 yards — hit Amari Jefferson — who had eight catches for 210 and two touchdowns — across the middle. The play gained 11 yards, one shy of extending the drive, setting off bedlam on the opposing Blue Tornado sideline.

The final score: McCallie 34, Baylor 28.

"I knew right from the start he wasn't close," said McCallie coach Ralph Potter, who led his team to a state title for a fifth time. "I saw it was at least a good yard short. I was right on the line, so I started jumping around right before they even called it.

"The second half for us was phenomenal. They're a great offense, and (Baylor coach Erik Kimrey) does a great job, so to stop them twice inside the 10 and then on the last drive, I can't believe it."

The game itself was a showcase for everything good about Chattanooga prep football. The city's best and most storied rivalry was renewed for the first time with a state title at stake, drawing a massive crowd that added to the atmosphere and likely helped talented rosters on both sides raise the level of their game.

"It was crazy," said McCallie defensive back Marcellus Barnes, whose night was highlighted when he broke on a pass intended for Baylor tight end Max LeBlanc and arrived just in time to separate the ball from the receiver. "I've never played in an environment like that in my career. I know it's something that we'll all talk about a lot more as we get older and look back on it all."

In the days leading up, much had been made from outside the Scenic City about how much the two schools benefit from having boarding students on their rosters. Talent was certainly on display, but one aspect that should also get plenty of recognition is that the reason these two teams were in the position they were is because the two best high school head coaches and staffs in the state wear McCallie blue and Baylor red.

From the opening drive, it was obvious something special was in the making as Baylor struck for a 41-yard touchdown pass from Muschamp to a diving Jefferson. From there, momentum swung like a pendulum as both offenses dominated the first half — neither team punted until the third quarter — accounting for nearly 500 yards and 48 combined points.

At that point it was being played at the fast pace Baylor prefers and was on course for a Red Raiders repeat of last year, when big plays led them to the program's first title in nearly 50 years. But that's when McCallie's defense dug its collective heels in the ground and refused to budge for much of the second half.

Trailing by six points with 2:27 remaining, Baylor took over at its own 8-yard line, setting up exactly the matchup the game needed: the Red Raiders' electric offense against the Blue Tornado's stingy defense.

After Baylor drove to midfield, McCallie responded with its most impressive stand of the season.

"That's what the whole game was about," said Blue Tornado linebacker Carson Gentle, who first raised the gold ball trophy high above his teammates gathered around him, then raced to the student section — where he raised the hardware again, this time for classmates to share in the celebration.

"We knew it was going to be a shootout and whoever made the least mistakes was going to win," Gentle said. "They made a couple of mistakes, and we got an edge. It was all going to come down to who could make a stop.

"I was ready to go again, but I was getting tired. When I jogged over and saw, I was like 'Oh my gosh, he's half a yard short.' It was the best feeling in the world."

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com.

Hargis: Rivals' title showdown a win for Chattanooga prep football | Chattanooga Times Free Press