Oakland 'spinning wheels' trying to complete 2017 football schedule

Most area high school football teams have finalized their schedules for the 2017 season.

Defending Class 6A state runner-up Oakland is far from it.

The Patriots are still trying to find two non-region opponents to complete their 2017 schedule. It hasn't been easy, according to Coach Kevin Creasy.

"We've gone from East to West (Tennessee) trying to schedule games," Creasy said. "This is like when we found out we had a game fall through (against Pulaski Academy out of Arkansas in 2015). We really had a lot of trouble finding a game."

While Oakland, Riverdale, Blackman and Siegel all stayed in the same region (3-6A) for the upcoming four-year classification cycle, Smyrna moved to Region 5-6A, making it difficult for the Bulldogs to schedule non-region games with all of the Murfreesboro schools.

The Bulldogs will battle Blackman (Sept. 8 at Blackman) and Siegel (Sept. 29 at Homecoming), but couldn't work out dates to play the Patriots or Warriors, Smyrna coach Matt Williams said.

"We were disappointed, but that's obviously out of our control," said Williams, whose squad is joined by rivals La Vergne and Stewarts Creek in the eight-team 5-6A. "We were in a different region (with Sumner and Wilson County 5A schools) when I was an assistant years ago and also in one with Shelbyville, Coffee County, etc., when we were a 4A school. So this isn't the first time that has happened. But, at the same time, we were lucky to have all of our games in close proximity."

The Bulldogs already had scheduled Wilson Central (Aug. 25 at home) and lined up Blackman and Siegel, leaving only a Week 3 open date. Riverdale has a region contest that night but that week is still an open date for Oakland and one the Patriots are needing to fill.

Smyrna scheduled CPA as its final non-region contest that night (Sept. 1). With eight teams in the region, the Bulldogs have three non-region games.

Creasy said he reached out to all the 6A teams within the county back in September, anticipating the split of regions, in attempts to schedule future non-region contests.

There are just seven teams in each 3-6A and 5-6A, leaving four non-region contests. Riverdale will battle East Nashville (Aug. 18), Franklin (Aug. 25), Spring Hill (Sept. 8) and Centennial (Sept. 22). Blackman will battle Hendersonville (Aug. 18), Rhea County (Aug. 25) and will travel to area foe Stewarts Creek on Oct. 20.

Oakland, meanwhile has filled two of those four - Class 5A runner-up Independence on Aug. 18 and Franklin on Oct. 6, which is a bye week for most other area squads.

"We're trying to convince people they're not going to play the 2016 Patriots," said Creasy, hinting that previous failed attempts could have to do with Oakland's 2016 success. "A lot of people try to schedule wins. We lost nine starters on both sides."

Creasy said money is a determining factor for Oakland when determining how to fill the final two spots. One offer is a team from Louisiana, but Oakland would have to travel, which would be a considerable expense. Currently Weeks 2, 3 and 4 are available for Oakland to fill, one which will end up being its bye week.

"We're not opposed to playing anyone," he said. "Playing the Hoovers (Ala.) of the world proves that. We want to play in Tennessee first, and we don't want to lose money playing the game. It's not about wins and losses.

"We're spinning our wheels. It's disappointing to be so far away (from filling the schedule)."

Middle Tennessee Christian and Eagleville, who have not played since 2014, will again not battle during the regular season in the next cycle. Eagleville coach Floyd Walker did say there was a chance the two could scrimmage. Eagleville will be in Region 5-2A while MTCS has moved to Division II-A.

Reach Cecil Joyce at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

Key 2017 area non-region football matchups

Aug. 18: Oakland vs. Independence (Site TBD)

Aug. 18: Stewarts Creek at Siegel

Aug. 25: Riverdale at Franklin

Sept. 8: Smyrna at Blackman

Sept. 29: Siegel at Smyrna

Oct. 20: Blackman at Stewarts Creek