The Blue Tornado of McCallie School capped a remarkable campaign by securing the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Division II‑AA championship, finishing the year with a record of fifteen wins, one loss and three ties.
Star Performers
Among the ten all‑state selections from Chattanooga‑area schools were Alejandro Dominguez, Darius Otchere and Finn Arnold, each of whom played a pivotal role in the team's success. Arnold and Dominguez combined for 32 goals and 15 assists during the season, while Arnold was named MVP of the Division II‑AA final after scoring twice in the 3‑1 victory over Briarcrest Christian.
The semifinal showdown against Christian Brothers featured a dramatic 5‑3 penalty shootout in which Otchere, Dominguez and Arnold all converted their spot‑kicks, underscoring the team's composure under pressure.
Otchere has committed to Radford University, an NCAA Division I program in Virginia, where he will continue his athletic and academic pursuits.
Other Local Contenders
Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts (CSLA) made program history by reaching the TSSAA state tournament for the first time. Seniors Adrick Hall and Mark Hetrick anchored the Eagles' run, with Hall scoring 13 goals and adding four assists while playing most of the season as a left back, and Hetrick compiling 109 saves in 2026, including five games with at least ten saves.
Notre Dame also celebrated multiple all‑state honorees, Josh Bonk and Caleb Salenda, who together contributed 43 goals and an equal number of assists. Meanwhile, Cleveland's Sloan Bolanos topped the area with 31 goals as a senior and earned all‑state recognition.
Baylor's center back Thomas Vance led a stout defensive unit that helped shape the season's defensive statistics, earning him a spot on the Division II‑AA all‑state team.
Looking Forward
With a blend of seasoned seniors and promising underclassmen, the Blue Tornado enter the offseason with high expectations. The individual accolades earned by Dominguez, Otchere and Arnold not only highlight their personal excellence but also signal a bright future for the program as it aims to defend its title next year.