Oakland Takes Revenge, Earns Back 6A Title

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Patriots flexed their muscles in a big way on Saturday night, defeating the reigning champs and taking back their spot at the top of 6A ranks. </h2>     Capping off the Blue Cross Bowl in Chattanooga was a rematch from last year's 6A championship where Houston took it but Oakland wasn't going to let that happen again as they looked impressive in their 42-20 win over the Mustangs.    Early in the 1st quarter, both teams traded possessions as they were getting a feel for each other until Houston broke through first with a short yard touchdown run that put them up 7-0 but that would be the last time they had a lead in this contest.    Almost immediately, Oakland responded to tie things up after the first touchdown of the game for future Tennessee Volunteer running back [player_tooltip player_id='219387' first='Daune' last='Morris']. His speed and running style proved to become a big problem for the Mustangs defense throughout the night.    The game really turned into Oakland's favor after a big goal line stop. The Patriots held strong on Houston's next possession, keeping the Mustangs out of the end zone while moving momentum to their side.    The team from Memphis wasn't out of it as they had Oakland pinned back but Morris reared his head in a big way as he broke loose on a long run that ended in the end zone for his second rushing score of the half. Throughout the first period, Morris proved to be a difference maker that the Mustangs defense had a hard time dealing with.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_2511.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1575481" style="width:390px;height:auto" /></figure>   Trailing 14-7, Houston bounced back to tie the game after a beautiful ball from [player_tooltip player_id='816017' first='Chandler' last='Day'] to senior two-way talent [player_tooltip player_id='1110694' first='Andre' last='Allen']. This score was needed to slow down Oakland's confidence but it didn't erase the aggressive nature that the Patriots brought to this game.    We remained tied going into halftime with the end result still up in the air but there was something about Oakland on this night that told me they would come out clicking in the second half and that's exactly what happened.    It was a complete onslaught in the second period where the Patriots ran all over Houston and almost scored at will. There was nothing the Mustangs could do to stop Morris and his backfield teammates in [player_tooltip player_id='219449' first='Tamari' last='Hill'] and [player_tooltip player_id='856867' first='Craig' last='Tutt'].    The passing game from [player_tooltip player_id='1526934' first='Kyler' last='Creasy'] helped the cause as he completed several long passes that put Oakland in position to score. He found [player_tooltip player_id='1518156' first='Chase' last='Bandy'] deep down the field to put the Pats into Houston's red zone where Hill finished the drive with a 10 yard run down the sidelines.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_2790.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1575483" style="width:338px;height:auto" /></figure>   Now holding a 21-14 lead, Oakland wouldn't look back from there. On the very next drive, Morris scored his 3rd touchdown of the day to extend the Pats lead out to fourteen points. After that touchdown, it was pretty much over for Houston as the Patriots continued to string together good drives that ended in points.    After two rushing touchdowns from Hill and Tutt and a score from Houston, Oakland held a 42-20 lead that would stay in place until the final whistle. The only left was to see time run out and the Patriots would come out with their 8th overall state championship.    Overall, it was an impressive title performance from the Pats and a win that put them back on top of the hill on the 6A level. Oakland is a relatively young team too that brings back a bunch of players but must replace some key guys, especially in the backfield, so defending this title next season is possible.    - - - - -    Player of the Game    The numbers may not be there to be considered player of the game but for me, I thought Creasy's poise and command of his Patriots offense was key towards victory. He played a calm, poised game and when he was asked to throw it, Creasy was very accurate, especially with the deep ball. On several occasions, the Pats senior signal caller dropped some dimes, deep down the field that put his team in position to score. He also didn't turn the ball over, so Creasy had the kind of clean, efficient performance needed to win a championship.    - - -    Going both ways for his Patriots team, Tutt had himself a strong showing on the big stage where he ran the ball 16 times for 84 yards and one touchdown while making several key stops on defense. You could feel his presence on the field as someone that played a little different than others. When the Pats needed a big play on defense, Tutt was there to make it. His physical play and demeanor on defense set the tone while his power running style gave way for Morris and Hill to break big runs.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_3172.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1575479" style="width:360px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -   Helmet Stickers    (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='219387' first='Daune' last='Morris'] - Oakland: If Morris wasn't kicked out of the game due to unsportsmanlike penalties, he would have been mine and the Blue Cross Bowls game MVP. His speed and dynamic running was the difference in this game where he ran for 145 yards on 16 carries and three touchdowns. He also had a few physical runs that displayed his underrated strength that kept drives alive.    (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='540017' first='Derrick' last='Miller'] - Houston: The top playmaker in this game for Houston was this senior receiver that produced two of three touchdowns on the night. Miller ended the game with 119 yards receiving on five catches and two scores. The Mustangs senior was the one guy Oakland had a hard time containing in this game and a lot of that was due to his speed and shiftyness.    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='219363' first='Owen' last='Waggener'] - Houston: Even though it wasn't the best of night's for the Mustangs defense, Waggener had himself a solid game as he produced 10 total tackles along with two tackles for loss and one sack. He also made several physical, viscous hits stopping the run while providing the occasional pass rush.    (DL) Dre Oldham - Oakland: The Patriots defensive front seven did a good job of keeping the Mustangs run game quiet with Oldham being a big reason why. His stats aren't large (3 tackles) but his presence was definitely felt. He also provided the occasional rush too and got home once with a sack against Day.   (WR/S) [player_tooltip player_id='1110694' first='Andre' last='Allen'] - Houston: Allen did everything he could to help his team succeed where he played key roles on offense, defense and special teams. The Mustangs senior two-way talent produced a big touchdown reception in the first half to tie the game while also doing a solid job in the secondary of not letting passes get over his head.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_3228.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1575480" style="width:414px;height:auto" /></figure>