It was the Battle Before The Final Battle. Two heavyweights ranked #1 and #2 in the State. Both undefeated. On the line a trip to the TSSAA State Finals and a chance to finish their season undefeated. For Oakland, it’s been awhile since they had been to finals, let alone won the State Championship. Their last trip 2008. For Maryville this was familiar territory and State Finals ad championships is a tradition there.
In a televised game the lines were drawn in Murfreesboro Friday night. The outcome:
Oakland Defense Dominates
Much can be said about LSU commit Jacoby Stevens, but tonight belonged to the defense. Besides giving up a 99 yard drive for a TD late in the first half, the defense was spectacular. Before that drive they had held Maryville to 22 yards. Despite that, at the half, it was 7-7 . Michael Roper had the lone Patriots score in the first half on a TD run.
Oakland came out inspired in the second half. The defense held Maryville to just over 60 yards in the second half. They intercepted 3 Maryville passes. And while the offense had a tough night, kicker Aaron Sears kicked 3 FG including a 47 yarder. Patterson scored on a long TD run late in the game to seal the win over Maryville. Maryville had eliminated Oakland 2 years in a row in the Semis. Final score Oakland 23- Maryville 7
Whitehaven Up Next
Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Next Saturday, Oakland will face another undefeated foe in Whitehaven. Whitehaven put on a defensive show of their own against undefeated Cordova 21-6. Whitehaven has given up only 85 points this year and only 9 points in their last 3.
The game will be televised , as will all the state playoff games.
