Whitehaven, Oakland have taken similar paths over recent years

Oakland and Whitehaven will face off Thursday in the BlueCross Bowl for the second time in three years.

The Patriots (13-1) and Tigers (11-3) will play for the Class 6A state championship at 7 p.m. Thursday at Tennessee Tech's Tucker Stadium. Whitehaven won the state title with a 12-9 victory over Oakland in the 2016 BlueCross Bowl.

Here are some story lines to know heading into Thursday's state championship:

Familiar paths

Oakland and Whitehaven are similar in talent level, and that similarity has carried over into each team's success over recent years.

Both teams have been to at least the Class 6A state semifinals every year since 2014, with nearly the same results.

Oakland lost to Maryville in the semifinals in 2014, 2015 and 2017.  Whitehaven lost to Ravenwood in the semifinals in 2014 and 2015 and lost to Cane Ridge in last year's semifinal. Whitehaven's state championship game victory in 2016 over Oakland is the only difference. 

Don't be deceived

Whitehaven has the second-most losses (three) of any team in this week's state championship games. But don't let the record deceive you. The Tigers' three losses came to teams with a combined 35-2 record.

Whitehaven lost to Division II-AA power Lausanne 26-23, fell to rival Germantown 37-19 and lost to North Little Rock (Ark.) 46-35.

Lausanne was unbeaten heading into the DII-AA state semifinals. Germantown was unbeaten before Whitehaven earned revenge in the 6A quarterfinals and North Little Rock is currently 12-0 and one of the top teams in Arkansas.

"This whole season was based off adversity," Whitehaven quarterback/cornerback Vincent Guy said. "We all came together and did what needed to be done."

No hangovers

Oakland players are trying to get Friday's 38-0 blowout over Maryville out of their minds and focus solely on this week's task.

It would be easy to have a letdown after a monumental win over one of the state's top programs. But there isn't much need for extra motivation when you're playing for a state championship.

"It might be a little bit (hard), but we have to keep preparing for Whitehaven," Oakland senior cornerback/wide receiver and Oklahoma commitment Woodi Washington said. "We can't think about the past. We have to think about the future."

Short week

Both teams, like their counterparts in classes 2A and 4A, have a short week to prepare for the state title game.

Those three classifications will play on Thursday, with Division II on Friday and classes 1A, 3A and 5A being played on Saturday.

Oakland wasted no time and practiced on Sunday. Coaches and players had a BlueCross Bowl media day (followed by the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football awards) on Sunday afternoon, but Patriots coach Kevin Creasy and his players hurried back to Murfreesboro to prepare for Thursday's game.

By the numbers

3,396: Rushing yards Oakland's and Whitehaven's primary ball carriers have combined for so far. Mr. Football finalist Xavier Myers has rushed for 1,875 for Oakland, while Cameron Sneed's 1,521 yards have led Whitehaven.

10: Times each team has surpassed 30 points in a game this season.

9,335: Total yards the two teams have gained combined. Whitehaven has gained 4,261 (2,207 passing, 2,054 rushing) while Oakland has 5,074 (3,540 rushing, 1,534 passing).

39: Combined interceptions the two teams have. Whitehaven has 20, Oakland has 19.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.