Oakland, Riverdale begin prep for Battle of 'Boro

MURFREESBORO — Oakland has dominated the past two years in the Battle of the ’Boro rivalry series with cross-town rival Riverdale, winning 42-20 and 41-7 in 2014 and 2013, respectively.

But Riverdale overall has owned the overall series, holding a dominating 32-13 advantage since the two schools first played in 1972.

The two schools meet at 7 p.m. Friday at Oakland’s Ray Hughes Stadium.

Riverdale enters the game 5-2 overall, 3-1 in Region 2-6A. Oakland is 6-1 overall, 4-0 in Region 2-6A.

“I think it’s still special even though there are a lot more schools in this county,” Oakland coach Kevin Creasy said. “But when you think Murfreesboro football, you first think of Central High School.

“The very next thing you think of is the Battle of the ’Boro. You think about the great rivalry between Riverdale and Oakland. You erase all records and know it’s going to be a battle for all four quarters.”

Oakland has defeated Riverdale three straight times once in the series history — winning four straight from 1987-1990.

Lights, cameras: Siegel (0-7, 0-4) will host Blackman (5-2, 3-1) at 7 p.m. Friday at Ken Nolan Stadium in a game televised on WUXP-30 in its Friday Night Rivals series.

It marks the second game involving Rutherford County teams televised by WUXP-30 this season. Smyrna defeated La Vergne 16-13 in Week 1 to open the season on TV.

Wolf fourth: Father Ryan’s Nick Wolf, a Murfreesboro resident, shot a 1-over 145 last week in the TSSAA Division II-AA state golf tournament to finish fourth overall at WillowBrook Golf Club in Manchester. Ensworth’s Brock Ochsenreiter won the DII-AA tournament with a 5-under for the tournament.

Committed: Former Blackman High baseball standout Austin Reynolds recently committed to Belmont. Reynolds was The Daily News Journal’s Position Player of the Year in 2013 and Pitcher of the Year in 2014.

Reynolds is currently a pitcher/catcher at Columbia State Community College.

Offered: Blackman defensive lineman Korey Tillman received an offer from East Tennessee State this past week.

Volleyball region: Siegel will host the Region 4-AAA volleyball tournament Tuesday. The Lady Stars play Coffee County at 4 p.m. in one semifinal. Blackman plays Columbia afterward at 5:30 p.m. The two winners play at 7 p.m in the championship. Both region finalists qualify for sectionals.

In Class A, Eagleville will be host for East Robertson at 4:30 p.m. in a Region 5-A semifinal. MTCS plays Nashville Christian afterward at 6 p.m. The championship game is slated for 7:30 p.m.

District soccer: Postseason soccer begins Monday for Rutherford County programs.

In District 7-AAA, Smyrna plays at Blackman at 4 p.m.Monday. Riverdale plays at Stewarts Creek at 4:30 p.m. and La Vergne plays at Siegel at 6 p.m. The Creek-Riverdale winner plays the Siegel-La Vergne winner at 6 p.m.

In District 8-A/AA, Central Magnet plays the Macon County-Watertown winner at 6 p.m. Monday at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex.

Central sweep: Central Magnet’s boys and girls middle school cross country teams swept the TMSAA State Cross Country State Championships on Saturday.

The Central boys won the Class A boys title with 29 points behind second-place finisher Landry Wells (11:58.71). Teammate Eli Callender was fourth (12:16.47). Chase Loughry was sixth (12:31.11), Patrick Jones was eighth (12:38.22) and Nathan Cardel was ninth (12:43.56).

Henry County was second with 60 points. There were five boys teams in Class A.

Central’s girls won with 21 points — 32 points ahead of Henry County.

Caroline Smith was second (13:13.58). Teammate Samantha Oullette was third (13:39.86), Elise Jones was fourth (13:46.35), Zoe Naylor was fifth (14:14.13), and Olivia Guse was eighth (14:36.78).

There were three girls teams in the Class A team competition.

Christiana, Oakland second: Christiana’s boys and Oakland’s girls finished second in the Class AA middle school championships. Oakland finished with 86 points, behind champion John Sevier Middle with 38.

Oakland’s Kayleigh McIntyre led the Lady Chargers with a sixth-place finish in 12:31.99. Rock Springs’ Hannah Opie was fourth (12:25.86). Siegel’s Marilyn McCarthy was eighth (12:32.46).

Christiana’s boys finished with 73 points. Mt. Juliet won with 40.

Christiana’s Eli Cramer was sixth in 11:35.91 to lead the Cougars. Oakland’s Cooper Johnson led all Rutherford County runners with a fourth-place finish in 11:33.39.

Middle school title game: Blackman Middle will play Rock Springs at 11 a.m. Saturday at Oakland Middle in the annual Rutherford County Middle School Football Championship.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.