He got a lot more than that.
Calling upon his seemingly inexhaustible reservoir of will, toughness and determination, Houston High’s senior quarterback went 37 yards to score the game-winning touchdown with 32 seconds remaining as the Mustangs — ranked first in the Daily Memphian Dandy Dozen — defeated crosstown rival and No. 7 Germantown High, 36-30.
It’s the 15th victory in a row for Houston, whose last loss came in Week 3 last year when Germantown blocked a late extra point and escaped 14-13. The Red Devils (2-1) saw their 15-game regular-season winning streak end.
Thanks in large part to Day.
After its defense forced a three-and-out, Houston took over on its own 49 with a 1:26 to go and the game even at 30. After a time out on fourth and 1, Day called his own number and somehow slipped through the Red Devils’ line before beating the pursuit to the promised land.
Germantown got the ball back and advanced to midfield. But Mekhi Robins’ pass was intercepted by Ladeadrick James. The defending Class 6A champs could finally exhale.
“I think they were just really focused on us not getting that one yard,” said Day, headed to the University of Tennessee after graduation to play baseball. “(Running back) Celley (Davis) had had a good game so far, so I faked the pitch to him. They knew he could do damage.
“The O-line did a good job. That hole opened up so wide it was crazy. ... I’m really glad it worked out.”
Added Houston coach James Thomas, “Funny thing is, we put that play in on Thursday. (Offensive coordinator) Ronnie (Thompson) dialed it up. You put it in 15’s hands, you’re pretty good.
“What a competitor Chandler Day is. Right?”
Right on coach. Day ended up with 93 yards rushing on nine carries and completed 12 of 21 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns. He was the best player on the field Friday.
Except when it was Houston receiver D.J. Miller. Or Germantown’s Robins. Or Germantown receiver Tre’Von McGory. Or a few others.
It was that kind of game.
Miller, a senior who missed Houston’s run to the title in 2023 due to non-football-related issues, caught a 46-yard touchdown pass that put his team up 30-23 with 9:43 left in the game. He was pretty much unguardable throughout, finishing with 8 catches for 221 yards.
“We got the run game going in the first half then we figured out we needed to start putting the ball in the air,” said Thomas. “We liked our matchup with D.J. To see him coming back impacting and really having a great year so far, I’m proud of him.”
Houston scored on the game’s first drive as Day tossed a 7-yard pass to freshman Jiles Bryant. Later, he connected with Andre Allen on a 21-yard touchdown on a play that was set up by a long gainer to Miller.
Germantown’s Robins — a first-year starter — almost matched Day punch for punch. He found McGory on a 79-yard scoring play that tied the game at 10-all in the second quarter, a play in which the highly-recruited class of 2026 receiver made a tremendous initial play to shake off a tackler before taking it to the house.
Robins then shook off a pick-six by Houston sophomore Khori Faulkner and marched his team immediately down the field just before halftime. His 12-yard toss to Cameron Ledlow pulled Germantown to within 17-16 at halftime.
And who knows? With a few more seconds in the fourth quarter, Robins and company might just have pulled it out.
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