It was 28-20 Oakland and Riverdale had the ball midway through the fourth quarter when a costly fumble changed the course of the game...
Bryan Barrett on NewsRadio WGNS from the Battle of the 'Boro at Oakland's Ray Hughes Stadium. The Patriots would add another touchdown for good measure to defeat crosstown rival Riverdale 42-20.
The Warriors were held to only 176 yards of total offense, just 12 rushing on the night. The Patriots countered with 436 total yards, 288 rushing, 148 passing. Josh Cunningham finished the night with 22 carries for 129-yards for Oakland. Tyler Black had 137-yards on 14 carries. Patriot quarterback JaCorey Smith as 7-of-10 passing for 148-yards. Riverdale senior quarterback Cortland Owens was 10-of-20 passing for 164 yards and one interception. The Warriors had three total turnovers in the game.
Oakland's Josh Smith had 10 tackles on the night and five quarterback sacks. Riverdale linebacker Ben Wells tallied nine tackles.
In the win, Oakland solidifies seconds place in District 7-AAA. They host Stewarts Creek next Thursday night to wind up the regular season. Riverdale travels to Smyrna for third place in the district Thursday. You'll be able to hear that game on NewsRadio WGNS as part of our prep football doubleheader next week. We'll also have Blackman at Hoover, Alabama Friday night.
| Riverdale | 20 | at Oakland | 42 | FINAL | |
| Blackman | 42 | at Siegel | 28 | FINAL | |
| Smyrna | 43 | at Stewarts Creek | 0 | FINAL | |
| Cookeville | 17 | at La Vergne | 38 | FINAL | |
| MTCS | 14 | at Forrest | 49 | FINAL | |
| Eagleville | 3 | at Moore Co. | 0 | FINAL |
FRIDAY NIGHT THUNDER STATEWIDE PREP FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD
Track Named To Honor Melvin Daniels
Just before the Oakland game, the track at the school was renamed to honor the late Melvin Daniels.
Rutherford County Director of Schools Don Odom said, "This year, the Oakland family lost a dear member who we will honor tonight. Melvin Daniels was an educator, coach and administrator in Rutherford County for many years. Daniels was called an inspiration by a former student and football player, while a fellow educator remembered him as firm and fair.
Melvin Daniels taught English and coached at Roy Waldron Junior High and Oakland High before taking administrative positions at other schools in the county.
While at Oakland, Daniels was the head boys' track coach and led the track team to a state championship in spring of 1984. This is the only state track championship ever won by a track team in Rutherford County. He also served on the Oakland coaching staff as offensive coordinator for the Patriots 1984 state championship football team.
Please join us in honoring Melvin Daniels as we recognize his contributions to education and athletics by officially naming the Oakland High School track...the "Melvin Daniels, Sr. Oakland Track."
