Oakland pulls away from Smyrna

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 relative of Patriots linebacker and Vanderbilt commitment and Josh Smith, completed 7-of-11 passing for 134 yards in relief of Christian Haffner. Smith is the third quarterback Oakland has played this season. Sophomore quarterback Cody Miller also played against the Bulldogs.

"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."

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

Oakland (4-1 overall, 2-1 in District 7-AAA) scored 21 unanswered second-half points after Ikenna Okeke intercepted Haffner and returned it 42 yards to tie the game 14-14 with 7:14 left in the third quarter.

But the Patriots responded, driving it 88 yards on just six plays. JaCorey 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 TD run with 11:11 left made it 28-14. Cunningham added one final score on a 2-yard run with 3:28 left

"We're interchangeable," Black said of Cunningham. "We have that freedom to do that and depth to do that. If (McDaniel) gives me that opportunity, I want to take advantage."

George Gbesee added five catches for 87 yards. Oliver had four catches for 67 yards.

Turnovers hurt the Bulldogs' hopes of pulling off the upset.

The Bulldogs (4-1, 1-1) finished with four turnovers, including three lost fumbles.

"We knew we couldn't turn the ball over and we did that," Smyrna coach Matt Williams said. "When you play a really good quality team and turn the football over, you are going to get beat. And that's what happened."

JaCoby Stevens' one-handed interception in the end zone off quarterback John Turner ended one scoring opportunity.

Turner was 11-of-16 passing for 111 yards. Kyle Smith had 73 yards on 16 carries before leaving the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury.

Oliver caught a 15-yard TD pass from JaCorey Smith on the opening drive of the game for an early 7-0 lead. Okeke later reeled in a 10-yard TD pass from Turner to tie the game with 11:02 left in the first half.

But Stevens' 20-yard TD pass off JaCorey Smith lob pass made it 14-7 at halftime.

McDaniel said he will play all three quarterbacks next week against Brentwood before trying to trim down around fall break.

"After fall break we'll make a decision on where we need to go," McDaniel said. "Right now, every day is different. You'd like to settle on one. More than one thing is reps. We are splitting the reps with three guys."

Contact Tom Kreager at tkreager@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kreager.

Friday's Scores

Oakland 35, Smyrna 14

Riverdale 42, La Vergne 15

Blackman 49, Stewarts Creek 14

Science Hill 52, Siegel 28

Forrest 21, Eagleville 7

MTCS 66, Community 21

DeKalb Co. 47, Cannon Co. 0

Lancaster Chr. 19, MAHS 18