Blackman Looks Forward to Third Round Game Against Oakland

By Jarod Hernandez

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Blackman High School turned it's focus to Oakland High School after beating Riverdale High School 48-21 on Nov. 14 in the second round of the TSSAA 7-AAA State Playoffs.

            Once the final seconds ticked off the clock last Friday at “Blaze Field”, the team soon hit the practice field. After meeting up with Riverdale for the second time in the season and blowing them out once again, the team could possibly be thinking it has an easy road to the championship. Blaze Head Coach Phillip Shadowens thinks otherwise.

             “Our team takes no team lightly,” said Shadowens. "We met with Oakland on week one, edging out with a 28 to 21 win. Our team and staff know that they have a good ball team."

            On Nov. 19, the practice was a cold one, but the team looked hot. With running plays in a fluid motion, everyone seemed to be on the same page.

            “I feel as if the playoffs bring out the best in my teammates and I,” said senior quarterback Jauan Jennings. "It’s a whole new season once they start."

Jennings, a team captain, committed to the University of Tennessee on April 7 to play football for the Tennessee Volunteers after completing his senior year.

Blackman and Oakland have a deep history of an inner-city rivalry, and when you put “playoffs” in front of the two schools, it causes an even more intense matchup. 

The game was played at Blackman High School on Nov. 21, located at 3956 Blaze Drive in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The fan bases of both schools were in full attendance and had the stadium shaking. Oakland marched in and put the Blaze’s flame out in dominating fashion by the final score of 20-9, with Jennings being their only means of a touchdown that night.

Jauan Jennings has recently been named the Tennessee Titans 2014 “Mr. Football”, as well as Oakland’s Jack Jones. The award is dedicated to the best high school football players in the state. 

Jennings and Jones will be wearing the same jersey next fall, as they will be teammates at the University of Tennessee. Jennings recently declared that he would forego his second semester of his senior year and enroll himself into UT in January.

###

Middle Tennessee State University Outlasts Troy

By Jacob Cook

Middle Stew

                  MURFREESBORO, Tenn.- The Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders defeated Troy on Nov. 24 with the last home game of the year for seniors after forcing five turnovers and playing hard-nosed football.

                  The Blue Raider seniors took the field for the last time against Troy, a rival that MTSU has struggled with in the past, losing the last six meetings between the two. With the help of five turnovers and some big plays, the Blue Raiders took home a 24-21 victory over their foe.

                  Senior placekicker Carlos Lopez connected with three crucial field goals, while redshirt freshman Kevin Byard forced a fumble and a pick six, and added another interception along with six tackles to help keep the game in the Blue Raiders’ favor. Freshman running back Jordan Parker ran away with a couple records also, setting a team high in rushing yards with 778 and scoring on a 98-yard run, the longest in MTSU and Sun Belt history.

                  Blue Raider coach Rick Stockstill said before the game that Troy had never played a team as talented as the one he has now. He couldn’t have been more right.

                  With that win, Raider Nation now has its eighth win of the season and sixth in the division.  Unfortunately, that was not enough to earn them a bowl bid. Stockstill has led his team to two bowl games in the past four years.

Raider Nation faced off against Arkansas State on Dec. 1. They lost 45 to nothing with the conference title on the line and a bowl game almost in their grasp.

###