MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) - In a semifinal matchup featuring two Rutherford County programs, the Oakland Patriots defeated the Blackman Blaze 42–14 Friday night at Ray Hughes Stadium. The game marked the first semifinal round under the TSSAA’s new playoff format, with both teams advancing to the final four under the revised system.

Oakland (14–0) opened fast, scoring on its first two possessions. Craig Tutt ran for a 35-yard touchdown to start the scoring, and quarterback Kam Morton followed with a 36-yard touchdown pass to Kemani Bass, giving the Patriots a 14–0 lead after one quarter.

With Oakland leading 14–0 and facing a second-and-3 at its own 27-yard line, Craig Tutt took the handoff and found a crease that turned into a game-changing breakaway as heard on WGNS' coverage:

Bryan Barrett with the call on State Farm Prep Sports and that sent Oakland into halftime with a 21-0 lead. Tutt finished with 159 rushing yards, 64 receiving yards and four total touchdowns. Morton completed 11 of 13 passes for 131 yards and two scores, including a 33-yard touchdown pass to Tutt early in the third quarter that extended the lead to 28–0.

Blackman (12–2), playing in only its second semifinal in school history, responded with two second-half touchdowns. Jabari Kemp scored from the 1-yard line in the third quarter, and Micah Nance added a 2-yard touchdown run early in the fourth, trimming the margin to 28–14.

After Blackman pulled within two scores, Oakland answered with the defining possession of the night — a 14-play, 67-yard drive that lasted nearly nine minutes. Tutt finished the possession with a 6-yard touchdown run, his third rushing TD of the game.

Defensive back Kyrie Gainor later returned an interception 52 yards for the final score.

Oakland’s defense limited Blackman to 186 total yards, while the Patriot offense totaled 357 yards and converted 9 of 12 third-down attempts.

The Blaze finish the season 12-2, it’s only two losses of the season came against Oakland.

With the win, Oakland moves on to face Ravenwood in the Class 6A BlueCross Bowl next Saturday in Chattanooga. The Raptors defeated Southwind 28-25 in a battle of undefeated teams. The championship game will be at 7pm EST (6pm Murfreesboro time) with pregame beginning at 5:30pm on WGNS State Farm Prep Sports.

Stats from Jo Jo Freeman

Team Statistics

Total Yards: Oakland 357, Blackman 186
Rushing Yards: Oakland 226, Blackman 100
Passing Yards: Oakland 131, Blackman 86
First Downs: Oakland 16, Blackman 8
Third-Down Conversions: Oakland 9-of-12, Blackman 3-of-9
Turnovers: Oakland 2, Blackman 1
Time of Possession: Oakland 28:43, Blackman 19:17

Individual Statistics

Oakland Patriots
Rushing:

• Craig Tutt: 21 carries, 159 yards, 3 TD

• Donte Cameron: 8 carries, 42 yards

• Will Millsap: 5 carries, 16 yards

• Kemani Bass: 1 carry, 7 yards

• Kam Morton: 2 carries, 2 yards

Passing:

• Kam Morton: 9-of-11, 118 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

• Donte Cameron: 2-of-2, 13 yards

Receiving:

• Kemani Bass: 5 receptions, 47 yards, 1 TD

• Craig Tutt: 4 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TD

• Ja’Vonni Malone: 1 reception, 15 yards

• Donte Cameron: 1 reception, 5 yards

Defense:

• Emarion Woods: 8 tackles

• Chevy Armour: 6 tackles

• Traivon Jackson: 6 tackles, 1 sack

• Marquis Earl: 4 tackles, 1 sack

• Kyrie Gainor: 3 tackles, 52-yard INT return TD

Blackman Blaze
Rushing:

• Jaevion Elliott: 6 carries, 53 yards

• Jabari Kemp: 8 carries, 27 yards, 1 TD

• Micah Nance: 5 carries, 11 yards, 1 TD

• Daniel Smith: 7 carries, 9 yards

Passing:

• Jaevion Elliott: 5-of-17, 86 yards, 1 INT

Receiving:

• Brylan Oduor: 5 receptions, 86 yards

• (No other receptions recorded)

Defense:

• Tristan Thornton: 8 tackles

• A’Darien Davis: 8 tackles

• Isaiah Boles: 7 tackles, 1 TFL

• Emory Harris: 7 tackles

• Jaden Lark: 4 tackles, 1 interception