By Nikki Chavanelle | @nikkichavanelle

McCallum and Calallen, both 13-0 this season, will meet at noon Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio for a spot in the Texas Class 5A-2 semifinals.

While Calallen had to pull off a remarkable comeback in its 31-24 win over Tivy to advance from regional action, McCallum toppled Alice 33-8 and is in the midst of a historic season. 

Watch McCallum vs. Calallen LIVE on FloFootball!

Both teams had streamlined runs to the quarterfinals, putting up 35 or more points per game, until Tivy shocked the Wildcats with 24 first-half points, beating the defense up through the air and on the ground. But Calallen erased a 14-point deficit thanks, in large part, to 185 yards from AJ Brown. The defense also stepped up, keeping the Antlers out of the end zone the entire second half.

Momentum from a comeback win could be just what Calallen needs to overcome the Knights’ tough defense, but holding Alice to eight points was no small feat. The Coyotes came into the matchup scoring 40 points per game. Now, in eight of its 13 games, McCallum has kept teams under 20 points. On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Max Perez has been impressing with his arm and on the ground. Perez threw a 47-yard Hail Mary for a score to end the first half against the Coyotes and the defense took care of the rest. 

Both offenses have productive run games led by experienced running backs. McCallum senior Alex Julian has 28 touchdowns for the Knights this season and over 2,000 rushing yards. Defenses just can’t tackle him. Meanwhile, Calallen’s Brown is creeping up on 2,000 yards for the season with 22 touchdowns. 

Once both running games open up, expect each team to take some shots deep down the field. Both defenses will have to try to limit big plays, which will be inevitably be the key to leaving the Alamodome with a win.

The Wildcats and the Knights are due for a rematch. When these two teams met in 2005, Calallen advanced over McCallum with a 13-10 win and eventually won the state championship.

Watch this game LIVE on FloFootball Saturday, Dec. 9, at noon.