SMYRNA

–

Oakland’s quarterback competition just became more complicated.

Senior JaCorey Smith threw three touchdown passes to lead the third-ranked Patriots to a 35-14 win over Smyrna on Friday night at Robert L. Raikes Stadium.

Smith, a transfer from Georgia and a relative of Vanderbilt commitment Josh Smith, completed seven of 11 passes for 134 yards in relief of Christian Haffner. Smith is the third quarterback Oakland (4-1, 2-1 7-AAA) has played this season. Sophomore quarterback Cody Miller also played against the Bulldogs (4-1, 1-1).

“Obviously, it’s not ideal to be playing three quarterbacks,” Oakland coach Thomas McDaniel said. “We’ve got to start narrowing the reps down.

“It was a good learning experience for (Smith). He’s picking up on the system. He’s a ways behind. He adds a little different dimension, being able to run the football.”

RELATED: High school football scores from around the state

Smith missed the first three games because of a broken collarbone. He played a little last week in a win over Arlington.

Oakland scored 21 unanswered second-half points after Ikenna Okeke intercepted Haffner and returned it 42 yards to tie the score 14-14 with 7:14 left in the third quarter.

But the Patriots responded, driving 88 yards on six plays. Smith hit Tennessee commitment Kyle Oliver on a drag route, which he ran 40 yards for his second touchdown catch of the game.

The Patriots’ run game had just 30 rushing yards in the first half but finished with 187 yards on 40 carries. Tyler Black had 108 yards on 17 carries in relief of Josh Cunningham. Black’s 40-yard touchdown run with 11:11 left made it 28-14. Cunningham added one final score on a 2-yard run with 3:28 left.