Former college football coach loses first game back in high school ranks in OT thriller
· Yahoo Sports
Trent Dilfer's return to Lipscomb Academy (TN) officially kicked off on Friday night, Aug. 21, as the Mustangs made the two-hour trip down south for a highly anticipated showdown with McCallie.
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Then a classic ensued.
Ultimately, a goal-line stand in overtime by the Blue Tornado proved to be the difference as McCallie held on for the thrilling 27-24 victory.
Early on, it was all Lipscomb Academy as the Mustangs took a 17-7 lead midway through the second quarter. On a reverse play to Drew Rempel, the former-quarterback-turned-wide receiver found a wide-open Jaxon Spencer for the 70-yard touchdown.
McCallie answered back late in the second quarter to make it a three-point game at the half and from there, the two sides exchanged a few more scores but more punts and a few turnovers.
The Blue Tornado retook the lead late in the fourth, prompting a do-or-die scoring situation for the Mustangs. Dilfer's squad answered the call as Jaxon Spencer scored the game-tying touchdown with 25 seconds remaining.
Lipscomb Academy would get a chance at the win as their defense quickly got an interception, but their 46-yard field goal attempt was off and the sides went to overtime.
McCallie's overtime period ended with a field goal, leaving Lipscomb Academy with an opportunity to win with a touchdown. They nearly did that on third down as Turner White turned a play that looked like it would be a disaster into a run that the referees ultimately ruled down at the 1-yard line despite the pleas of the Mustang players and coaching staff.
Instead of opting to go for the tie and an extra overtime period, Dilfer sent his offense back out, facing a fourth and goal from the 1. White handed the ball off to Mikel White and in the mass of a scrum that ensued, the back judge ruled White was short as McCallie erupted in celebration ensued Lipscomb Academy was set home with is first loss of the season.
Dilfer — the former Super Bowl champion during his 14-year NFL career — led Lipscomb Academy to three straight championship appearances during his first tenure with the Mustangs from 2019-2022. He won two state titles before being hired by the University of Alabama-Birmingham as the head coach in 2023.
He took a Blazers program coming off a 7-6 record in 2022 and finished with a 9-21 record, resulting in a midseason firing on Oct. 25, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former college football coach loses first game back in high school ranks in OT thriller