Newcomer Smith shines in win for Patriots

MURFREESBORO – JaCorey Smith missed out on the majority of the offseason.

A broken collarbone suffered during the first week of practice in pads left his arm in a sling and out of Oakland's quarterback competition.

Until recently.

Smith completed 7-of-10 passes for 162 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in Friday night's 35-14 District 7-AAA win over Smyrna at Robert L. Raikes Stadium. Smith's performance came in relief of starter Christian Haffner. It came in Smith's second game of the season. He saw limited action at Arlington the week prior.

"It feels great to finally be back playing," said Smith following Friday's win. "It's been a long time."

Smith has been named The Daily News Journal's high school football player of the week.

Smith moved to Murfreesboro from Georgia, where he played at North Clayton High School, over the summer. He is a cousin to Oakland linebacker Josh Smith, a Vanderbilt commitment.

JaCorey Smith threw two touchdown passes to tight end Kyle Oliver, a Tennessee commitment, and one touchdown to sophomore JaCoby Stevens.

"I know I had a long road to get back (on the field)," JaCorey Smith said. "When I got my chance, I had to take advantage of it."

Smith also ran for 15 yards in the game.

Smith's performance puts him in the middle of the Patriots' quarterback competition, competing with Haffner and Cody Miller. Haffner and Miller had split time this season.

Smith entered the game in relief in the first drive of the game. He didn't start the second half, but quickly re-entered.

"He still has a long way to go to learn the offense," Oakland coach Thomas McDaniel said Friday night.

FRIDAY'S SCHEDULE

(All games at 7 p.m.)

Blackman at Independence

Eagleville at Grace Baptist

Whites Creek at La Vergne

Howard at Lancaster Chr.

MTCS at Whitwell

Oakland at Brentwood

Hendersonville at Riverdale*

Siegel at Beech

Sycamore at Smyrna

Stewarts Creek at Summit

Cannon Co. at Watertown**

*WGNS (1450-AM, 100.5-FM)

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

DNJ PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

The Daily News Journal will name a football player of the week all season. Players are honored based on observations made by DNJ reporters. Nominations may be sent to DNJ prep editor Tom Kreager by noon on Monday at tkreager@dnj.com.

Week 0: D.J. Williams, Smyrna

Week 1: Justin Winn, MTCS

Week 2: RoShea Grays, La Vergne

Week 3: Jauan Jennings, Blackman

Week 4: JaCorey Smith, Oakland