Rutherford County Prep Football in the Playoffs (Since 1993)

Rutherford County has had a rich tradition of prep football, especially for the last two-and-a-half decades.

While no one is forgetting about the Central Tiger's 1970 Class AAA state title (see video below), the Tigers two championships before classification, nor Oakland's domination of the 1980's, winning the '84 state title (see below for highlights) and back to back runner up trophies in '88 and '89 -- the history is incredible since 1993.

The story is still being written on 2018, with Oakland hosting Maryville in the semifinals for a chance to play for a state championship.

But from 1993 to 2017, Rutherford County has had a team in the semifinals or later 21 straight years and 24 of the last 25 years. Riverdale's 1996 double overtime loss to Jefferson County in the second round is the only time since 1993 a local team has been denied at least the state's final four in the highest classification of football.

During that period, there have been eight state champions (Riverdale (4), Oakland (2) and Smyrna (2). There have also been seven state runner ups won during that period (Riverdale (5), Oakland (1), Smyrna (1).

(blue links are to podcasts of the games)

2018 THE STORY IS STILL BEING WRITTEN!

2017 Oakland in 6A semifinal - lost to Maryville

2016 Oakland lost to Whitehaven 12-9 - Oakland 6A State Runner Up

2015 Oakland in 6A semifinal - lost to Maryville

2014 Oakland in 6A semifinal - lost to Maryville

2013 Blackman in 6A semifinal - lost to Maryville

2012 Siegel in 6A semifinal - lost to Maryville

2011 Riverdale in 6A semifinal - lost to Maryville

2010 Smyrna lost to Maryville 23-21 - Smyrna 6A State Runner Up

2009 Riverdale in 6A semifinal - lost to Maryville

2008 Oakland defeated Franklin 20-13 for 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (OAKLAND)

2007 Smyrna defeated Independence 46-20 for 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (SMYRNA)

2006 Smyrna defeated Ravenwood 35-14 for 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (SMYRNA)

2005 Riverdale in 5A semifinal - lost to Oak Ridge

2004 Riverdale defeated Franklin 35-7 for 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (RIVERDALE)

2003 Germantown defeated Riverdale 10-7 - Riverdale 5A State Runner Up

2002 Brentwood defeated Riverdale 10-7 - Riverdale 5A State Runner Up

2001 Riverdale defeated Hendersonville 35-7 for 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (RIVERDALE)

2000 Red Bank defeated Riverdale 27-7 - Riverdale 5A State Runner Up

1999 Oakland in 5A Semifinal - lost to Oak Ridge

1998 Oakland defeated Hendersonville 46-24 for 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (OAKLAND)

1997 Riverdale defeated Munford 34-18 for 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (RIVERDALE)

1996 Riverdale lost 44-41 in 2OT in second round (no semifinal appearance)

1995 Brentwood Academy defeated Riverdale 27-16 - Riverdale 5A State Runner Up

1994 Riverdale defeated Germantown 14-10 for 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (RIVERDALE) *highlights below

1993 Lincoln Co. defeated Riverdale 20-7 - Riverdale 5A State Runner Up

CLICK HERE FOR FOOTBALL BRACKETS FROM TSSAA OVER THE YEARS

Highlights of the 1994 Clinic Bowl where Riverdale won its first football state championship over Germantown. Jeff Jordan, Bobby Wesson and Bobby Gardner on the call...