Blackman (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) at Oakland (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
Blackman, shown here before a playoff game last year, travels to Oakland for a Thursday battle.
File photo by John Pratt
A Thursday battle of undefeated crosstown rivals that will decide the outright championship in District 7-AAA. After winning its previous five games by an average of 38 points, Blackman (8-0) was pushed hard in a 28-13 win over state-ranked Smyrna last week. Oakland (8-0) has been equally dominant, winning by an average of more than four touchdowns. Led by Vanderbilt-bound safety
Emmanuel Smith, the Patriots have one of the top defenses in the Volunteer State.
Just the facts: Oakland defeated Blackman last season and owns a 6-3 edge in games played in the rivalry since 2004. … Blackman has not been shut out in a game in nearly five seasons. The last time it happened was a 7-0 loss to Oakland on Oct. 27, 2008.
Mitch Stephens: Oakland 31, Blackman 28
Kevin Askeland: Blackman 40, Oakland 35
Jamie DeMoney: Oakland 27, Blackman 20
Stephen Spiewak: Oakland 34, Blackman 27
Leland Gordon: Oakland 28, Blackman 24
Colin Ward-Henninger: Oakland 21, Blackman 14
