Blackman vs. Smyrna was supposed to be an exciting matchup. Some expected a nailbiter with the winner decided in the final minutes.
On Friday night, Blackman's incredibly talented football team didn't follow the script. The Blaze burned out of control from the first series when Adonis Otey scored from 70-plus yards out. Two touchdowns and a field goal later, Blackman led 24-10 at halftime. The defense shut out Smyrna in the half en route to a 45-10 win over the No. 10-ranked Smyrna Bulldogs.
Running back Tamicus Napier, who had three touchdowns on 140-plus yards rushing, loves the momentum his team is riding right now.
"It feels great. Everything is clicking," Napier said. "It gives you confidence. We have to take this momentum into next week."
While confidence in his team's abilities is at an all-time high at the moment, Napier is excited that others are being forced to take notice of the Blaze. "People don't want to give us credit," Napier said following the game. "I feel like we proved them wrong. It's all about credit."
In the hours leading up to the game, seniors Otey and Micheal Brown tweeted about being scheduled for Smyrna's homecoming. Otey's tweet, "Homecoming?? Aw yea, it's up there," and Brown simply tweeted "Homecoming....smh."
After the game, Brown clarified his thoughts.
"Usually you schedule teams you know you're going to beat for homecoming," the senior tackle said. "To win in the dominant fashion we did it feels just a little bit sweeter."
In those four games, Blackman has outscored opponents 157-42.
The next time Blackman plays on the road, Sept. 21, it will be one of the marquee matchups in the state.
The Blaze will travel the short distance to Oakland in what should be a top-five matchup. The Patriots could be No. 1 soon, following Maryville's home loss to Alcoa this week.
Before that potential mammoth matchup in two weeks, however, Blackman will prepare for their home opener as Siegel comes to the Inferno next Friday night.
Blackman came into Friday night's action ranked No. 5 in the state. If the Blaze keeps winning, especially in the kind of style it has played throughout the first four games of the season, that number is destined to rise.
Joel A. Barker is a sports writing preacher. Joel was a longtime Featured Columnist covering College Football for The Bleacher Report before beginning his pursuit in pastoral ministry studies. Follow Joel on Twitter @joelabarker.
