Oakland’s Kaleb Oliver (6) celebrates making an interception during the game against Blackman at Oakland, on Friday Sept. 18, 2015.

MURFREESBORO — A showdown between the ‘Boro’s best became an Oakland old-school defensive classic.

The second-ranked Patriots held Blackman under 200 yards and defeated the fifth-ranked Blaze 21-7 Friday night at Ray Hughes Stadium.

The game was a rematch of last year’s Class 6A state quarterfinal, which was won by the Patriots. But it featured a pair of first-year coaches in Kevin Creasy at Oakland and David Watson at Blackman.

Oakland (3-1 overall, 2-0 in Region 2-6A) forced four turnovers and scored off one — a JaCoby Stevens 60-yard interception return — to put the game away. It was Stevens’ second pick of the game and third for the secondary.

Kaleb Oliver also had an interception off a deflected pass.

It was Oakland’s best performance under first-year defensive coordinator Steven Jackson, who came to Oakland from Trousdale County with Creasy in the offseason.

“Coach Jackson, he put us in the right spots at the right time,” Stevens said. “I can’t complain with his play calls. We had big plays by Kaleb and the quarterback on defense Jackson (Cauthen at linebacker).”

Blackman’s lone points came on a blocked punt that Donnel Bailey recovered in the end zone with 2:45 left in the first quarter.

Blackman was held to nine first downs and had 74 yards in penalties.

“When we had some drives, we didn’t execute,” Blackman coach David Watson said. “They disrupted us. They dared us to throw. They loaded the box, kind of like we thought they would do.”

Stevens scored on a 35-yard run from the Wildcat formation to tie the game with 7:25 left in the second quarter. Stevens finished the game with four carries for 44 yards. He also caught a pass for 10 yards. He was targeted in five other passes.

Stevens’ first interception set up Oakland’s second score. Dexter Hurd scored on a 1-yard TD run with 10:11 left in the third quarter, four plays after the pick.

“I thought (Jackson) came up with a great plan,” Creasy said. “I thought our guys played well, but they responded to the plan. They embraced the plan. They learned what to do. They took it upon themselves to shut them out, and they did a great job.”

Brendan Matthews finished 6-of-14 passing for 115 yards. But was 0-of-5 passing in the second half. His two biggest gains were to tight ends Pruitt Jones (34 yards) and Ty Nix (33 yards). Nix, though, left the game with a shoulder injury.

Armstrong was 10-of 27 passing for 116 yards with three interceptions. However, the Blaze lost sophomore receiver Connor Mitchell in the game. Mitchell, who had four catches for 51 yards, left the game with a knee injury in the second half and did not return.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

Raymond Howse’s senior photo

Raymond Howse

MURFREESBORO — Raymond Howse, who broke the color barrier for the old Murfreesboro Central High School football team, died Sunday.

Howse, 64, was an offensive and defensive lineman at Central High, where he joined the varsity team as a sophomore in 1966. He was the first African-American to play on the Central High varsity football team.

“Good player. Good man,” former Central High coach Gene Windham wrote on a Facebook message. The late Lee Pate was head coach when Howse joined the varsity.

Howse went on to be a fireman for the city, before later working for the Community Development Office.

Howse died after a bout with cancer, his wife of 31 years, Jolaine Howse said. The couple did not have children.

Visitation with the family will be from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at New Generation Funeral Home, 2930 Murfreesboro Pike, Antioch, and from 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Olive Branch Church, 1115 Minerva Drive,, Murfreesboro. A celebration of life will be at 5 p.m., Sunday.

Jolaine Howse said her husband often spoke about his time at Central High as a football player.

“He developed a lot of friendships with other blacks that came on, and were playing on the team,” she said. “He used to talk about how his teammates protected him when he went to other towns, especially when they went into restaurants that wouldn’t serve blacks.

“He said he never felt afraid because of the protection he was provided.”

Councilman Bill Shacklett attended at Central High with Raymond Howse, but got to know him more later on after school

“He was just an extremely fine person and a dedicated family man,” said Shacklett, who played in the band at Central. “That’s a credit to his family and the community. He’s a big man and has a big heart.”

Shacklett said integrating the football team at Central High was a positive for the community during the civil rights era.

“Those years were tumultuous in our city and our country,” Shacklett said. “… We found ways to work together rather than work apart. We were looking for ways to get along and do something positive.

“And we had great friendships made.”

Bart Fite of the Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation Department was the quarterback at Central High when Howse played. Fite called Howse “a very hard-nosed football player.”

“He was a good guy, who put out 100 percent every time he played,” Fite recalled.

“He did a good job for us,” Fite recalled. “I counted on him to get his blocks.”

Former teammate Coleman Murdock, a Rutherford County school resource officer, was saddened to hear of his friend’s passing. He remembered Howse as a quiet player.

“I remember when we were freshmen at Central,” Murdock said. “There were 150 players that came out for football. I never had as hard of a year as that year. You had to be mentally fit.

“It was not about being black or white. You had to just survive. Only 35 of us lasted.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

Murfreesboro Central High School football team 1968

Eagleville

EAGLEVILLE — Watertown needed a score with 32 seconds left to put Eagleville away Friday night, beating the Eagles 36-21 at Talon Field.

A.J. Garza caught touchdown passes from Ethan Cobb of 17 and 18 yards to trim it to 29-21 with 3:16 left before Watertown put together a scoring drive to end the game.

Cobb was 15-of-28 passing for 191 yards in the game to pace Eagleville (3-3 overall, 2-1 in Region 4-2A).

Graham Hatcher continued his strong season, catching six passes for 81 yards. Garza caught four passes for 50 yards.

“We had a shot at the end,” Eagleville coach Steve Carson said.

Oakland’s JaCoby Stevens runs across the goal line for a touchdown. Oakland defeated Coffee County 48-0 on Homecoming.

Oakland’s Kendrick Johnson (5) runs upfield as a Coffee County player defends on the play in Friday’s Homecoming win.

Oakland’s Mark Pruitt tries to avoid a Coffee County player during the Patriots’ 48-0 rout.

MURFREESBORO — Big plays led to big scores and a shutout for Oakland Friday night.

The Patriots saw six different players score in a 48-0 win against Coffee County to remain perfect in Region 6-2A play.

Oakland (4-1, 3-0) ran 27 offensive plays in the first half and on 10 of them posted gains of 10-plus yards on the way to a 35-0 lead at intermission and a running clock for the second half. Adding three more such plays in the second half, the Patriots outgained the Red Raiders (2-4, 0-3) 411-116.

“This happens by film. Coaches do a great job of breaking down the film and letting us see where the openings are, and great play calling,” said Lazarius Patterson, who had three of the 13 big plays, including TD runs of 15 and 49 yards. “It’s a confidence booster. We just got done playing Blackman, and we didn’t have that many big plays — we made enough to win — and, hopefully, we can keep making big plays the rest of the season.”

Jarod Parker’s 66-yard touchdown run on the third play of the second series was the first of the big plays for Oakland, and the first of the quick scoring strikes.

Brendon Matthews found a wide-open Jacoby Stevens for a 55-yard TD pass on a two-play drive. Patterson scored on back-to-back drives that combined for five plays. Matthews found Kaleb Oliver just before halftime for a 12-yard scoring pass — on the heels of his second 35-plus yard pass of the game to Mark Pruitt — for a two-play drive.

Coffee County opened the second half with its third turnover of the game, and for the third time Oakland capitalized. A 26-yard run by Patterson set up Kendrick Johnson’s 4-yard score on the fifth play of the half, and Zarius Gamble added a 2-yard TD to cap the scoring.

Defensively, Oakland surrendered just three first downs — the first with 11:06 remaining in the second quarter and the second with 11:33 remaining in the fourth quarter. Along the way, the Patriots allowed the Red Raiders to convert just three of their 12 third-down attempts.

“This is a real big game, especially following a game against a real tough (Blackman) team, but we came out here and did what we needed to do,” junior Chris Onwumere said. “It starts with the defense. No D. No W. That’s our saying around here.”

La Vergne

LA VERGNE — La Vergne’s first three drives started in the opponents’ territory and ended in touchdowns, leading to a 49-21 victory overy Maplewood Friday night at Freedom Field.

Maleik Gray was the recipient of three Drew Howard passes in these first three drives, two of which found Gray in the end zone. Maplewood scored on two fumble recoveries and a kickoff return.

Despite the hot start, and not giving up a touchdown on defense, Coach Stanton Stevens was less than pleased with the Wolverines’ performance.

“I didn’t like what we were doing upfront on the offensive side of the ball,” said Stevens. “I thought Maleik Gray bailed us out of some situations.”

Stevens added, “Drew (Howard) threw some good balls tonight. On that throw from the goal line, he put just enough air under it to get it over the (defender’s) head.”

Gray gained 209 yards through the air including a 99-yard touchdown catch and run. Gray, a highly touted recruit, reeled in three touchdowns on just four catches.

He still was excited after the game. When asked what he saw on the 99-yard reception, Gray said, “Open field.”

Gray is one of the top juniors in the country at the linebacker position. He said he is enjoying being recruited and “getting out there and exploring and seeing what the country has to offer on and off the field.”

Gray says he is still “open-minded” but says, “I do have a short list of three – USC, Florida State, and Tennessee,” adding that Coach Nick Saban of Alabama has not paid him a visit yet but hopes he will.

The Wolverines amassed a team total of 431 yards of offense.

Nick Jones was the leading rusher with 119 yards on 25 carries.

The defense contributed a touchdown as well when Chris Myers intercepted a Bo Hodges touchdown and delivered it 43 yards to paydirt for Lavergne’s final touchdown.

Brandon Bea

#6 Austin Bryant plants the spear at mid-field as he leads the Warriors onto the field.

#4 Marquise Cantrell

#34 Jordan Jefferson Riverdale Jr and #32 Brandon Velazquez

MURFREESBORO — Once Brandon Bea came in at quarterback, Riverdale’s offense was perfect.

Bea was a perfect 14-of-14 through the air for 234 yards to lead the Warriors to defeat Warren County 45-3 in their Region 2-6A game Friday night.

Bea came in for starter Marqwell Odom early in the second quarter, with Riverdale down 3-0. The Warriors were facing 3rd and 16 after an ineligible receiver penalty backed them up.

Bea threw it deep downfield on his first pass attempt and sophomore receiver Jarek Campbell jumped over his defender to haul it in for a 45-yard completion.

“(Odom’s) still a little bit banged up (from a shoulder injury he suffered in last week’s Coffee County game),” said Riverdale coach Ron Aydelott. “They packed the box on us, so we were going to throw it a little bit. (Bea) came in and did a good job.”

Bea completed an 18-yard pass to Odom, who moved to receiver, to get the Warriors to the 10. Jordan Jefferson then ran two consecutive times to get in the end zone.

Bea completed six consecutive passes to Marquise Cantrell in the first half . Two of them were for touchdowns, one for four yards and one for six yards.

Bea started out the second half with a 43-yard touchdown run, and threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Odom later in the third quarter.

“I didn’t realize that until my quarterbacks coach told me, and he told me don’t jinx it,” said Bea. “I couldn’t do it without my O-line and the receivers. Our motto tonight was ‘we finished,’ and we did. The man upstairs, I couldn’t thank him enough.”

In the first quarter, the Warriors (4-2, 2-1) moved the ball but failed to get it in the end zone. They drove 62 yards on their first possession, but fumbled the ball into the end zone and it rolled out of bounds, giving Warren County first down on the touchback.

After the fumble, the Pioneers (0-5, 0-3) drove downfield for their only score, a 30-yard field goal.

Once Bea came into the game, the Warriors accumulated yards and didn’t have a single punt. The Warriors scored every possession except for the last one, when the Warriors ran down the clock.

SMYRNA — Stewart Creek capped off its Homecoming week with another victory Friday over Antioch.

The Red Hawks, who doubled their win total from last year, relied on a stingy defense and numerous Bears mishaps to allow them to cruise to a 35-6 win.

The win was the third in four weeks for the Red Hawks (4-2).

The Red Hawks held the Bears to 141 yards of offense and forced four turnovers — three in the first half — including Darius Burns’ interception returned for a touchdown that gave Creek an early 14-0 lead.

However, the offense didn’t make the game any easier coughing up three turnovers of their own including a fumble in the red zone with 40 seconds left in the first half.

“Well I think our defense played well, of course,” Stewarts Creek coach David Martin said. “But I don’t think we handled ourselves when we got up. We gave up the ball, but our defense played well enough to overcome it.

“I’ll take it.”

The Red Hawks struggled through the air on the night switching between quarterbacks Chris Dye (2-of-7 passing for 14 yards) and Ryan Haraway (1-of-3 for 15 yards), and were forced to rely on a committee of tailbacks to generate offense.

Zach Long led the way with 17 carries for 98 yards and three touchdowns. Keyshawn Walker and Tre Bailez also contributed as the Red Hawks methodically gained 264 rushing yards on the night for the bright spot on offense.

Martin said Long is a leader and special player for the Red Hawks.

“He’s great a tailback and even better leader,” Martin said. “He carries the team when we need him too and provides us with energy.”

Long broke loose for two touchdowns in the second half that cushioned the lead. The Bears (0-5) finally got on the board early in the fourth when Noah Scales found Tycari Butler for a 35-yard strike along the sideline.

Miller Armstrong (right) congratulates Cedriontis Wilson (center) after Wilson caught a TD pass from Armstrong while Cookeville’s Zach Poston (2) looks on.

Cedriontis Wilson catches a 25-yard TD pass from Miller Armstrong.

Taeler Dowdy runs

Taeler Dowdy runs

Taeler Dowdy ran for four touchdowns against Cookeville Friday night,

Blake Taylor intercepts a pass

COOKEVILLE — A fast start and a strong finish helped Blackman get back on the winning track in Region 2-6A play.

The Blaze scored three first-quarter touchdowns against Cookeville as they jumped out to a 21-0 lead and pulled away with three fourth-quarter scores as they held off the Cavaliers 49-28 on a rainy Friday night at Eddie Watson Stadium.

“We certainly gave up some yards in the second half, and they made some plays to score a few more points than we’d like to give up, but we’ll take a 21-point win on the road,” Blackman coach David Watson said.

Taeler Dowdy ran 27 times for 269 yards and four touchdowns for Blackman (4-2, 2-1 Region 2-6A), which was coming off a region loss to Oakland. Quarterback Miller Armstrong added nine carries for 131 yards and one score and had 56 yards passing for two more touchdowns.

Cookeville (5-1, 2-1) had its share of offensive fireworks, finishing with three 100-yard rushers. Quarterback Matt Collins finished with 11 totes for 109 yards, Vic Johnson ran 20 times for 108 yards, and Gabe Angel added four carries for 105 yards. Each ran for a touchdown.

Blackman returns home next Friday to host Smyrna (5-1, 3-0).

Cookeville pulled to within 21-14 early in the third quarter when Angel darted down the right sideline for a 64-yard touchdown run.

But the Blaze bounced back with an eight-run, 80-yard drive that ended with an Armstrong 15-yard keeper.

Blackman essentially put the game out of reach when Armstrong found Darius Simple in the back of the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown pass and a 35-14 lead. Dowdy tacked on touchdown runs of 1 and 38 yards to ice the victory.

Cookeville had made it interesting in the fourth quarter, twice pulling to within 14 on a 39-yard scoring run by Johnson and a 65-yard scamper by Collins that made it 42-28.

The Cavs then recovered an onside kick, but went four-and-out before Dowdy provided the final margin.

The Blaze dominated the first quarter, beginning with a big defensive play by Blake Taylor.

Taylor intercepted a Christian Wilkinson pass over the middle and returned it to the CHS 38. On the next play, Dowdy raced for a 38-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

After the Cavs’ ensuing drive fizzled out, Blackman struck again as Dowdy zipped down the right sideline for a 55-yard touchdown. Soon after a Cookeville three-and-out, Armstrong connected with Cedriontis Wilson for a 25-yard touchdown pass and a 21-0 lead.

The Cavs got their lone score of the first half on a 28-yard halfback pass from Jarquzes Hicks to Zach Poston.

After scoring Smyrna’s fourth touchdown against Siegel, Smyrna’s Casey Perkins (5) holds up a 31 for injured teammate Deven Sims (31), who was taken to the hospital by ambulance earlier in the game against Siegel at Smyrna, on Friday Sept. 25, 2015. Smyrna teamate Blake Watkins (35) comes off the field with Perkins.

SMYRNA – Smyrna ended the drought Friday night.

Now, it prepares for a difficult final four games.

The Bulldogs routed Siegel 45-7 at Robert L. Raikes Stadium on a night it retired the jersey of former Smyrna standout Adam Smotherman, who is now an assistant strength coach for the Clemson football program.

The win snapped a 14-game losing streak to Murfreesboro programs. Smyrna’s previous last win over a team from the ‘Boro came against Siegel in 2011.

Smyrna’s Casey Perkins powered the Bulldogs with 122 rushing yards on four touchdowns to help lead the Bulldogs (5-1 overall, 3-0 in Region 2-6A) to a 42-7 halftime lead.

Perkins, a first-year running back for the Bulldogs, said he didn’t overlook the Stars (0-6, 0-3) just because they hadn’t yet won a game.

“We told each other that Siegel was 5-0 in our eyes,” said Perkins, who didn’t play in the second half after getting sick at halftime. “So, we worked like they were the best team in the league.”

Perkins had touchdown runs of 13, 1, 31 and 4 for the Bulldogs, who play at eighth-ranked Blackman next week.

“He’s buying into the coaching,” Smyrna coach Matt Williams said. “He is doing the extra work with our running backs coach (Justin) Morton.

“I think he’s doing what he needs to do to be successful for our team.”

Jordan Middleton’s 5-yard TD run gave Siegel its lone points of the night.

Quarterback John Turner added a 9-yard TD run with 3:39 left in the first half. After a Siegel three-and-out, the Bulldogs drove 74 yards on 11 plays, scoring on Turner’s 25-yard pass to Nathan Sanders to enter halftime up 35 points and start a running clock for the second half.

“We were able to move the ball well on them both run and pass,” said Turner, who was 15-of-22 passing for 267 yards. “And our offensive line had a great game.”

Smyrna finished with 457 total yards, including 190 rushing yards on 32 carries. Siegel entered the game giving up more than 400 per game on the ground.

Turner capitalized on several flip passes to a receiver in motion that led to big gains. The biggest, a 57-yard catch and run to Jordan Jones, set up Perkins’ third score.

“That spreads them out, then we come back with Casey up the middle,” Turner said.

Siegel, which began the year in a 3-4, moved back to an even front for the second week.

“We’re just trying to simplify and get better,” Siegel coach Greg Wyant said.

Smyrna lost backup Deven Sims for the season in the first quarter when Sims broke his left ankle. He left the game via an ambulance and had surgery on it Friday night.

“It was a tough loss because Deven has done such a great job,” Williams said. “He loves his teammates. He made a big change from last year, buying in to what the coaches have told him.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

Smyrna’s Casey Perkins (5) runs the ball as Siegel’s Michael Tewel (73) comes up from behind at the game at Smyrna on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015.

Friday’s Scores

Oakland 48, Coffee Co. 0

Riverdale 45, Warren Co. 3

Blackman 49, Cookeville 28

Smyrna 45, Siegel 7

La Vergne 49, Maplewood 20

MTCS 40, Pickett Co. 8

​Stewarts Creek 35, Antioch 6

Watertown 36, Eagleville 21

​Upperman 70, Cannon Co. 12

Oakland quarterback Brendan Matthews throws a pass during the Patriots 21-7 win on Friday night.

MURFREESBORO — Five games in, things are beginning to pan out for high school football games across the state.

Here are five things we know for Rutherford County football teams entering the second half of the season.

Oakland in driver’s seat

The Patriots are one of three 2-0 teams in Region 2-6A — joining Cookeville and Smyrna — entering Friday’s Homecoming game with Coffee County . But with a win over eighth-ranked Blackman last week, Oakland is the favorite to win Region 2-6A.

The Patriots still have games with Warren County (0-4, 0-2) and Riverdale (3-2, 1-1) before ending the season with Cookeville and Smyrna in consecutive weeks.

Oakland’s offense has shown improvement under first-year QB Brendan Matthews. And the defense had its best game of the year last week against the Blaze when it held them to under 200 yards.

Casey Perkins

Smyrna faces tough second half

Smyrna is off to a 4-1 start, but the second half of the season is filled with tough region challenges. Smyrna, which faces Siegel (0-5, 0-2) on Friday at Robert L. Raikes Stadium, plays Blackman on Oct. 2 in its final game prior to fall break.

But don’t discount the Stars despite their record. Smyrna is 0-14 against Murfreesboro teams since the 2012 season.

Smyrna also has games with Cookeville and Oakland. The Bulldogs’ success this season coincides with first-year running back Casey Perkins’ successful start. Perkins has 485 rushing yards through five games.

Blackman’s Connor Mitchell (6) falls as hurts his knee after a catch and a run while Oakland’s Wanya Moton comes in for the tackle, during the game at Oakland, on Friday Sept. 18, 2015.

Blaze must find more offensive options

Blackman sophomore Connor Mitchell was the Blaze’s third-best offensive weapon prior to sustaining a knee injury during last week’s 21-7 loss to Oakland.

His absence in the lineup will force coach David Watson to find other options to move the ball beyond running back Taeler Dowdy and quarterback Miller Armstrong.

But there are options. Darius Simple and teammate Cedriontis Wilson have shown the ability to make plays on offense. Wilson, a shooting guard for the Blaze basketball team, is in his first season playing football. And tight end Joeseph Sewell can make plays as a receiver.

And don’t forget running back Master Teague. The running back could also see his role expand.

Riverdale’s quaterback Brandon Bea (12) passes the ball as his teammate Austion Bryant (6) tries to stop Blackman’s Korey Tillman (48) at the game at Blackman, on Friday Sept. 4, 2015.

Now or never for Warriors

Riverdale has quietly won back-to-back games, but by a combined four points. That streak should continue Friday against a winless Warren County team that will be without two players due to ejections.

That gives the Warriors another week to get their offense in sync at quarterback. Riverdale has played three quarterbacks — Brandon Bea, Christian Souffront and Gene Odom — this season.

MTCS needs upset, help

MTCS (3-2, 2-2 in Region 5-1A) sits in fifth place — one spot from a Class 1A playoff berth — entering this week’s region game with Pickett County. That will likely mean the Cougars will need to upset either Nashville Christian or Trousdale County and receive help from the rest of the region to advance to the Cougars’ third straight postseason.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

Week 6 Games

(All games at 7 p.m.)

Siegel at Smyrna*

Antioch at Stewarts Creek

Watertown at Eagleville

Warren Co. at Riverdale

Blackman at Cookeville

Coffee Co. at Oakland

Maplewood at La Vergne

MTCS at Pickett Co.

Upperman at Cannon Co.**

*WGNS (1450-AM, 100.5-FM, 101.9-FM)

*WBRY (1540-AM, 96.7-FM)

Former Smyrna player Adam Smotherman, right, is presented a framed jersey with his number during half-time of the Smyrna vs. Siegel’s game at Smyrna, on Friday Sept. 25, 2015, as Smotherman’s number is retired. Former assitant coach Billy Harris, left, to Smotherman congratulates the former player.

SMYRNA — Adam Smotherman walked up the small incline Friday night on his way into Robert L. Raikes Stadium.

His wife, Lindsey, and father, Fred, were by his side as the former Smyrna High and Vanderbilt football player began to think back to his days as a high school football player.

Now, 10 years after he last played on the field, Smotherman was honored by Smyrna High with the retirement of his No. 58 jersey.

“This means so much to me, growing up in this town and playing here,” Smotherman said. “It’s been said, ‘Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog.’

“It almost brings tears. There are a lot of memories just to walk back on this field. It’s a great honor.”

Smotherman is currently in his third year as an assistant strength coach at Clemson.

He received notoriety last season during the Russell Athletic Bowl against Oklahoma when he was the personal get-back coach for Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables — a duty he still has. Smotherman was shown on national television repeatedly pulling Venables off the field.

“People always tell me, ‘You’re the get-back coach.’ The whole strength staff is in charge of keeping the team back,” Smotherman said. “It was fun. I started doing it during the 2013 season.”

Smotherman was a senior captain at Smyrna High and a three-year starter. He played offensive tackle, tight end and defensive end during his tenure at Smyrna. He became Smyrna’s first Mr. Football recipient in 2005.

He said the trophy remains at his mother’s home.

“I’ll take it home once I buy a home and have a man cave,” he said. “I’ll have it in there.

“It was a big honor to receive that award. I know it’s the politically correct thing to say, but I honestly believe it meant more to be on the team and playing for those coaches and being a Smyrna Bulldog.”

Smotherman went on to play defensive tackle at Vanderbilt, red-shirting his freshman year. He played for former coaches Bobby Johnson and Robbie Caldwell.

Smotherman said returning home gave him fond memories of his high school days.

“You start flashing back to those Friday night lights,” he said. “It’s been 10 years since I played a high school football game here. This just floods me with a lot of emotions.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

Siegel’s Victoria Simmons finished second ahead of Riverdale’s Maddy McClellan at the Rutherford County Championships at Smyrna’s Sharp Springs Natural Area.

Siegel’s Tyler Smith won the Rutherford County Championship on Saturday at Sharp Springs Natural Area in Smyrna.

Riverdale’s Emma McClellan won the Rutherford County Cross Country Championship girls race on Saturday at Sharp Springs Natural Area. Riverdale’s girls also won the team title.

SMYRNA — Riverdale ended Siegel’s stronghold in Rutherford County girls cross countrySaturday with a dominating performance at Sharp Springs Natural Area.

Riverdale placed all five runners in the top 10 to finish with 24 points to win the Rutherford County girls championship. Siegel finished second with 41 points. Siegel had won the meet in 11 of 12 years entering the meet. The Lady Stars didn’t compete in the 2012 county championships.

“They have had a very good team for a really long time,” said Riverdale’s Emma McClellan, who won the meet with a time of 18:50.99. “But Riverdale really wanted to win this. Our coach (Stephen Williams) told us to just try hard, and he really wanted the championship.

“So all of the girls just put it all together.”

The meet was part of the Sharp Springs Invitational. Times from all Rutherford County runners were used to score the county meet, a trend that began a few years ago. Only four county schools fielded complete girls teams.

Central Magnet, which has the top female runner in the county in Taylor Cuneo, chose not to compete this weekend. Central Magnet competed in the Trinity/Valkyrie Invitational in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sept. 19. The school is competing in the Jesse Owens Classic on Oct. 3.

Oakland was third with 75 points. Smyrna finished fourth with 108 points.

Oakland won the boys race with 30 points, edging second-place Siegel by five points in the nine-team field. Riverdale was third with 72 points.

McClellan’s win marked a good 24 hours for the McClellans. Her older sister Maddy McClellan, who finished third in the county meet (19:18.90), was named Riverdale’s Homecoming queen a day prior during the football team’s 45-3 rout of Warren County.

“She was pretty tired last night, but she got a lot of sleep,” Emma McClellan said of her sister. “It was pretty cool. We had a good night.”

Siegel’s Victoria Simmons finished second in 19:15.33, sandwiched between the McClellans.

But Riverdale freshmen Sarah Sneed, Gracie Pendleton and Alden McGinnis finished fourth (19:39.04), seventh (20:22.28) and ninth (20:36.99), respectively.

Siegel’s Tyler Smith won the boys title with a time of 15:36.41. Oakland’s Daniel Smith was second (16:16.79). Riverdale’s Timothy Dye was third (16:26.65).

“This means a lot,” Tyler Smith said of the county title. “It feels good to do it.”

Riverdale’s girls also won the Sharp Springs Invitational title with 34 points. Franklin was second with 81 points.

Oakland won the Sharp Springs boys title with 60 points. Siegel was second with 70. Tyler Smith was the overall winner over Cookeville’s Nathan Longfellow.

“I wanted him to lead me out the first two miles,” Tyler Smith said. “Then, coming out of the cornfield, I wanted to get in front of him.

“Without him (pushing me) it would have been hard.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

Blackman running back Taeler Dowdy had a career-high 266 yards against Cookeville on Friday and scored four touchdowns.

Blackman running back Taeler Dowdy had a career-high 266 yards against Cookeville on Friday and scored four touchdowns.

MURFREESBORO — Taeler Dowdy doesn’t like sharing ball-carrying duties in the backfield.

As a senior starting at running back for Blackman, Dowdy prefers the ball in his hands rather than being on the sideline watching a teammate carry the load.

Dowdy got his wish Friday night in seventh-ranked Blackman’s 49-28 win over previously unbeaten Cookeville in a showdown with one of the top rushing leaders in the Midstate in Vic Johnson.

Dowdy had career highs in both rushing (266 yards) and touchdowns (four) on 27 carries, which tied a career high.

“He wants the football, and he has a lot of confidence,” Blackman coach David Watson said. “I think he felt this was something he was capable of doing. But he just kind of felt he didn’t have enough opportunities. He played behind Charlie (Davidson) last year. Charlie was an all-state running back and a really dominant player. But he was waiting on this opportunity.

“It made him hungry. He doesn’t like to share carries. We like to have a plan B and have them get carries. Like last year, Taeler was Charlie’s yin to Charlie’s yang.”

Taeler Dowdy carries load for Blackman Blaze

Dowdy now has a team-high 826 yards on 124 carries (6.7 yards per carry) with 10 rushing touchdowns.

“They usually will leave me in, but I do get mad when they take me out,” Dowdy admitted. “They realized (Friday night) I was having a big game and left me in there most of the night.”

Dowdy said he benefited from an offensive line opening holes all night against the Cavaliers.

Watson said the linemen were confident all night.

“We kind of wanted to get back in the groove of running the football,” Watson said. “(The offensive line) was wanting the ball ran, and wanting it ran behind them. (Julian) Shanklin was like, ‘Run it behind me, coach.’ “

Dowdy had touchdown runs of 38, 55, 1 and 38 in the win. It came a week after Oakland held him in check, containing him to 74 yards in a 21-7 loss. It was only the second time Dowdy had been held under 100 yards.

“He stole the show,” Watson said. “He had a great night. Weather conditions weren’t totally conducive to throwing the football.

“We were blocking really well, and Taeler had the hot hand. He was doing so well, it would be hard to not give it to them.”

Blackman (4-2 overall, 2-1 in Region 2-6A) hosts Smyrna (5-1, 3-0) at 7 p.m. Friday at The Inferno in the final game before the Blaze have their open week during fall break.

Dowdy, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound athlete, said he would be fine if the Blaze didn’t have a break.

“I don’t like off weeks,” Dowdy said. “I feel like Saturday and Sunday are good enough for me.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 6152-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

Friday’s games

(All games at 7 p.m.)

Smyrna at Blackman*

Independence at Stewarts Creek

Westmoreland at Eagleville

Siegel at Riverdale

Oakland at Warren Co.

La Vergne at Summit

Gordonsville at MTCS

Cannon Co. at Smith Co.**

*WGNS (1450-AM, 100.5-FM)

**WBRY (1540-AM, 96.7-FM)

La Vergne junior Maleik Gray (4) was named The Daily News Journal’s Player of the Week

LA VERGNE — Maleik Gray has been recognized as a highly touted linebacker for the Class of 2017.

The La Vergne junior showed this weekend his offensive skills aren’t too shabby either.

Gray caught four passes for 208 yards with three touchdown receptions in the Wolverines’ 49-21 win over Maplewood. Gray has been named The Daily News Journal’s Football Player of the Week.

“People were just stacking up, loading up in the box because Nick Jones was doing so well (running the football),” La Vergne coach Stanton Stevens said. “We needed another outside guy — a big-play outside guy. Princeton Fant is out for the season. Our next best athlete is Maleik. He’s able to do some of the things that Princeton was able to do for us.”

Three of Gray’s four receptions were for touchdowns, including a 99-yard catch and run. The linebacker also had four total tackles including a sack in the win.

Gray’s 99-yard reception came on a fade route.

“It was just me one-on-one with a little corner,” Gray said. “They told me it was coming to me, so I just went up and got it.”

Gray said he is happy to contribute anywhere for the Wolverines (4-2 overall, 2-1 in Region 5-5A).

“I really love it,” Gray said. “I love it because I’m able to help my team. I just want to help my team on both sides of the ball.”

Stevens has said previously that opposing teams have shied away from running toward Gray’s side of the ball.

Gray, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound athlete, is ranked No. 25 by Rivals and No. 48 ESPN among top college prospects for the Class of 2017 nationally. He is being recruiting as a linebacker.

His top three college choices are USC, Florida State and Tennessee.

The Week 6 win over Maplewood marked Gray’s third straight game with a catch. He began the season as a one-way player, contributing as a standout linebacker on defense. However, La Vergne coach Stevens slowly began to expand his role on offense.

But Gray was bothered by an ankle sprain prior to the season that left him playing solely on defense.

“Right now, we think he’s as close to 100 percent as he’s going to get,” Stevens said. “His conditioning is pretty good. We feel a lot better about playing him both ways than we did earlier in the season.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

DNJ Football Players of the Week

Week 1: Tanner Green, MTCS

Week 2: Taeler Dowdy, Blackman

Week 3: JaCoby Stevens, Oakland

Week 4: Tyler Griffin, Eagleville

Week 5: Ikenna Okeke, Smyrna

Week 6: Maleik Gray, La Vergne

Friday’s Games

(All games at 7 p.m.)

Smyrna at Blackman*

Independence at Stewarts Creek

Westmoreland at Eagleville

Siegel at Riverdale

Oakland at Warren Co.

La Vergne at Summit

Gordonsville at MTCS

Cannon Co. at Smith Co.**

*WGNS (1450-AM, 100.5-FM, 101.9-FM)

**WBRY (1540-AM, 96.7-FM)

Collegiate Football on the Field

Tonight’s Games

Final

Oakland 48, Warren Co. 7

MTCS 13, Gordonsville 12

Riverdale 42, Siegel 21

Blackman 28, Smyrna 14

Independence 27, Stewarts Creek 0

Westmoreland 34, Eagleville 7, 3Q

​Summit 22, La Vergne 14

Smith Co. 56, Cannon Co. 0

Smyrna’s Casey Perkins leads the Bulldogs with 613 yards.

Smyrna beats Siegel at Smyrna 45-7, on Friday Sept. 25, 2015.

Casey Perkins (5) leads the Bulldogs with 613 yards.

Casey Perkins (5) leads the Bulldogs with 613 yards.

Smyrna’s Ikenna Okeke (2) tries to make a catch but misses as Siegel’s Kedron Harper (5) covers Okeke at Smyrna, on Friday Sept. 25, 2015.

Smyrna’s quarterback John Turner practices his passing accuracy during the school’s first day of pracitce with pads on Monday July 28, 2015.

Smyrna head coach Matt Williams on the sidelines during the Blackman game, at Smyrna on Friday Oct. 18, 2013. Blackman defeated Smyrna 28-13.

Smyrna’s quaterback John Turner looks for a player to through to as he gets pressured by La Vergne during the game at La Vergne on Friday, Aug. 21, 2015.

SMYRNA — With four region games left, things just got a lot tougher for Region 2-6A co-leader Smyrna High.

The Bulldogs (5-1 overall, 3-0 in Region 2-6A), finish out the regular season with four teams with a combined 17-6 record.

“It should be fun,” Smyrna coach Matt Williams said. “We feel like we have a good football team that can compete with anybody when we play like we should.

“This district is never easy. We’ve been on both sides of it. I think our kids will buy into it and do what we need to do to be successful.”

► First up for the Bulldogs is eighth-ranked Blackman (4-2, 2-1). The Blaze are coming off an impressive 49-28 win over previously unbeaten Cookeville.

► The Cavaliers (5-1, 2-1) travel to Smyrna on Oct. 16 after the Bulldogs’ open week.

► Smyrna travels to rival Riverdale (4-2, 2-1) on Oct. 23.

► Second-ranked Oakland (4-1, 3-0) plays at Smyrna to wrap up the regular season.

The remaining schedule will be one to remember for the Bulldogs as they march into the TSSAA’s Class 6A playoffs. Regardless of what the Bulldogs do this month, they are guaranteed a playoff game due to the TSSAA’s new playoff structure for Class 6A. All 32 teams in 6A advance to the postseason.

However, if the Bulldogs can finish in the top four they will be awarded a home playoff game.

Smyrna’s defense has helped key its start. The Bulldogs are giving up just 9.7 points and 196.2 yards a game through the first half of the season. They’ve outscored their first three region foes 126-10. However, those three opponents — Coffee County, Siegel and Warren County — are likely competing for the final three spots in Region 2-6A.

Regardless, the Bulldogs have enough talent to be considered a region-title contender.

Week 7 high school football capsules

Smyrna second-year starting quarterback John Turner leads the league in passing with 1,029 yards. He’s thrown just one interception with five touchdowns. Running back Casey Perkins, a first-year starter in the backfield, has 613 rushing yards and an area-best 13 total touchdowns. And athlete Ikenna Okeke leads the Bulldogs in receiving (448 yards).

“We just have to keep having great weeks of practice,” Turner said. “We just need to be focused on Friday.

“It’s crunch time now. It’s prime time.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

High School Football 2015

Friday’s Games

(All games at 7 p.m.)

Smyrna at Blackman*

Independence at Stewarts Creek

Westmoreland at Eagleville

Siegel at Riverdale

Oakland at Warren Co.

La Vergne at Summit

Gordonsville at MTCS

Cannon Co. at Smith Co.**

*WGNS (1450-AM, 100.5-FM, 101.9-FM)

**WBRY (1540-AM, 96.7-FM)

La Vergne High School

SPRING HILL — Not even a cold, persistent rain could dampen Summit’s Homecoming.

Tai Carter ran for 143 and two touchdowns, while Tyler Palmer added 122 yards and a score to spark the Spartans 22-14 upset of La Vergne Friday night.

“It’s a great win for us,” said Summit coach Brian Coleman. “(Carter and Palmer) ran the ball hard, and you’ve got to give a lot of credit to the offensive line.”

The victory was historic for Summit (2-4, 1-2 Region 5-5A) as it was the school’s first win in region play.

“That’s our first region win as a football program,” Coleman said. “It’s exciting for us.”

The loss was equally as disappointing for the Wolverines (4-3, 2-2), who were trying to remain in the hunt for a region championship.

The Spartans set the tone for their upset win scoring on their possession with Carter finishing things off with a seven-yard touchdown run. Palmer added the 2-point conversion run for an 8-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

Summit extended its advantage to 15-0 with 2:30 left in the second quarter on an 11-yard touchdown run by Palmer.

However, it was La Vergne that carried momentum into halftime driving 70 yards in the final two minutes of the first half before Nick Jones scored on a 3-yard run with just 2.5 seconds left in the second quarter.

Malike White supplied the 2-point conversion run to pull the Wolverines within 15-8 at halftime.

Jones finished with 21 carries for 118 yards. White added 87 yards on nine carries.

The teams exchange scores in the third quarter as Carter scored on a 13-yard run for the Spartans, while White had a 3-yard touchdown run for La Vergne.

Eagleville’s A.J. Garza runs between the tackles during a 34-7 loss to Westmoreland Friday night

EAGLEVILLE — Westmoreland’s rushing attack was too much for Eagleville.

Westmoreland rushed for 344 yards and five touchdowns to defeat Eagleville 34-7 in their Region 4-2A game Friday night.

Westmoreland improved to 4-1 (4-3 overall) in the region.

From the start of the game, Westmoreland attacked with its running game. Quarterback Bayle Kirk led his team in with 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a 44-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Westmoreland’s running backs Dylan Todd had 94 yards and two touchdowns, Hunter Crowson had 81 yards, and Brandon Green had 41 yards. Tate Sloan rushed for 22 yards and a touchdown, as well.

“That’s what we’ve been expecting this year,” said Westmoreland coach Stephen Harris. “We’re senior-dominated on the line. We felt like our offensive line would be a strength this season. Our backs are doing a great job running the ball, as well.”

Westmoreland took the opening kickoff and drove 55 yards for its first score, keeping the ball on the ground the entire drive. Todd scored on a two-yard run to make it 7-0.

The kickoff was fumbled by Eagleville, and Westmoreland recovered at Eagleville’s 39.

Nine rushing plays later, it was 14-0. Todd took it in the end zone from five yards out.

Eagleville (2-2, 3-4) had two long drives ended by turnovers. After Westmoreland’s second touchdown, Eagleville drove it from their 35 to the Westmoreland 14. The Eagles went for it on fourth down but failed to pick it up.

After Westmoreland’s only pass of the game was intercepted by Eagleville’s Tyler Griffin, his fifth of the season, the Eagles drove from midfield to the Westmoreland 18. But a pass into the end zone was intercepted.

“We had our chances in the first half to put some points on the board, but we weren’t able to,” said Eagleville coach Steve Carson. “They’re a good football team. We have so little margin for error; when we have the opportunity to score, we need to score.”

Eagleville running back A.J. Garza went out in the first half after suffering a concussion and didn’t return to the game.

MTCS Cougars

MURFREESBORO — MTCS relied on a stingy defense, turnovers and clutch field-goal kicking by Asfaw Putty to keep its playoff hopes alive with a much-needed 13-12 win against a determined Gordonsville team at Throneberry Field Friday night.

Putty converted two crucial field goals, 35 and 24 yards, to give MTCS six needed points on a night where scoring was difficult to come by.

MTCS’s defense forced five turnovers, four fumbles and one interception while holding Gordonsville to only 208 yards of total offense.

MTCS senior linebacker Brayden Melton recorded 12 tackles on the night, eight solo, and recovered a fumble.

Cougar quarterback Joseph Peck, rushed for 102 yards on 18 carries and threw for 78 yards on 14 attempts with five completions, one for a touchdown to Trey Hickey.

Hickey also picked off a Gordonsville pass on the first play of the second quarter at the 9- yard line to halt a Gordonsville scoring threat.

Neither team scored in the first quarter. The teams traded turnovers but were unable to capitalize.

Peck put the Cougars (5-2 overall, 4-2 Region 5-2A) on the scoreboard first when he connected on a 35-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Hickey down the right sidelines to give MTCS a 7-0 lead.

Gordonsville’s Jessee Meadows intercepted a Peck pass at the 50-yard line and returned it to the MTCS 14-yard line. Two plays later quarterback Damian Davis connected on a slant route to Dylan Askew to pull within one. MTCS blocked the extra point.

MTCS returned the ensuing kickoff past mid-field and drove to the Gordonsville 17-yard line. With five seconds left in the half, Putty connected on a 34-yard field goal to give MTCS a four-point lead at the half.

Melton gave MTCS some momentum in the third quarter when he recovered a Gordonsville fumble at the 48-yard line. A few plays later Peck darted 45 yards to the 7-yard line. The Cougars would settle for a 23-yard Putty field goal to go ahead 13-6.

Gordonsville stormed back when Meadows scampered 58 yards for a touchdown, but the two-point conversion failed and MTCS held a 13-12 lead.

Neither team scored in the fourth quarter as each defense would bend, but not break.

Gordonsville mounted one final drive late in the fourth quarter, but Melton deflected a fourth-down pass from the MTCS 40, and Gordonsville never got the ball back.

MTCS kicker pursues goals in US