Oakland vs. Blackman football: 5 things to know about the showdown

When crosstown rivals Oakland and Blackman square off Friday night at The Inferno, the game will feature the top two teams in Class 6A.

Here are five things you need to know about the big Region 3-6A contest:

Biggest ever?

Is this the biggest regular-season game in Murfreesboro football history?

The rankings (Oakland No. 1, Blackman No. 2), combined records (9-0), expectations and region stake would indicate such. 

There have been many Battle of the Boro (Oakland vs. Riverdale) contests that ultimately decided league titles, especially when it was the last game of the regular season.

Some might argue the Oakland-Blackman matchup in 2014 (won by Blackman 28-21) was as big, or bigger, given the fact it was the season opener for two teams with big expectations and was broadcast on ESPN.

Titletown

The winner of the Blackman-Oakland game has gone on to win the league title every season since 2013.

Oakland has won the previous two meetings (21-7, 38-0) and Region 2-6A titles; Blackman's ESPN win ultimately gave the Blaze the 2014 District 7-AAA title; and Oakland's 9-3 triumph gave the Patriots the 2013 7-AAA crown.

Dominance

Both the Blaze and Patriots have dominated the 2017 season thus far.

Oakland (4-0) has outscored its opponents 168-40 while Blackman (5-0) has outscored its opponents 241-76. That's a combined 409-116.

Swings and things

Grueling start: Oakland's first five games have been a murderer's row. Sort of.

The Patriots have played defending 5A runner-up Independence, 6A power Maryville and an unbeaten Riverdale entering the contest.

Wedged in there is arguably the most overmatched opponent in Patriots history when Oakland whipped Class 1A newbie RePublic 70-6 two weeks ago. It was a late addition to the Oakland schedule when the team desperately tried to find a 10th game.

Catching up: Blackman has trended in different directions this season. The Blaze offense has scored fewer points in each of the first five weeks, tallying 63, 52, 49, 42 and 35.

Meawhile the Blaze defense has allowed fewer points each week, giving up 28, 21, 14, 10 and 3.

Kicking in: The game will feature two of the state's top kickers in Blackman's Thomas Burks (34-of-34 extra points, 1-of-2 field goals) and Oakland's Aaron Sears (20-of-20 extra points, 4-of-5 field goals).

Players to watch

Blackman: RB Master Teague (559 yards rushing, 9 TDs in 3 1/2 games); RB Cordell Braxton (337 yards rushing, 4 TDs), QB Connor Mitchell (46-of-62, 670 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INTs; 295 yards rushing, 9 TDs); WR Trey Knox (22 receptions, 353 yards, 4 TDs).

Oakland: RB Jeron Rooks (478 yards rushing, 274 yards receiving, 8 total TDs); QBs Timmy Goodrich/Brevin Linnell (467 combined passing yards, 6 TDs; 275 combined rushing yards, 3 TDs).

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

Friday's Week 6 area football games

All games kick off at 7 p.m.

Oakland at Blackman (1450-AM)

Siegel at Warren County

Riverdale at Centennial

Cane Ridge at Smyrna

Shelbyville at Stewarts Creek

La Vergne at Whites Creek

Eagleville at Moore County

MTCS at Mt. Juliet Christian

Cannon Co. at DeKalb Co.