Prep football: Falcons, Raiders battle for Class AA bragging rights

However, one aspect of the game stands out amongst the rest. It’s the fact that they love to run the football.

Frankfort and Roane County combine to produce a few players who have rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season, including the Raiders’ Lane Watson, who has cleared 2,000 yards.

“What I’ve watched, they remind me so much of us — the smash-mouth [football],� Frankfort coach Kevin Whiteman said of Roane County. “They’re going to throw the ball too. They do some misdirection and are a very good football team. You can tell they’re very disciplined and are well-coached.

“I look for a really good battle Friday night. I’m excited for [Raiders coach] Paul [Burdette]. He works hard, and getting this opportunity is awesome for him.�

The Falcons have appeared in one other state title game, in 2014, when Frankfort lost to Bridgeport, 37-7.

Roane County is making its first state title game appearance.

The county itself is known for potent programs, dating back to the former Spencer High School, which won a state championship in 1991.

Burdette understands the importance of Friday’s game, not only for the school but for the community.

“It just means everything,� Burdette said. “We’ve worked so hard. I came back in and started coaching in 2006 with coach [Tom] Hardman. That year was our first-ever playoff appearance. I just talked to coach Hardman about that [on Sunday].

“I remember him being interviewed when we came up here for the playoff meeting. He said that Roane County will win when it gets off the bus. We’ve come so far. We’ve really built our program to get to this point.�

There have been a lot of firsts this year for the Raiders, especially in the playoffs.

They hosted their first-ever state semifinal game in Spencer and will play in their initial state championship game.

However, the Raiders understand that they cannot let the pressure get to them, especially in a game of this magnitude.

“Pressure is what you allow it to be,� Burdette said. “Our motto is ‘1-0.’ It’s about focusing on each and every Friday night as an individual game and not looking forward to the next. There’s no next after this Friday. These guys have a way of focusing and getting themselves ready for a ball game.�

Friday evening’s contest will be the first meeting between these two teams. Each is battling for class supremacy, as well as capturing that elusive title.

Frankfort has won its 13 games by an average of 37 points.

The Falcons allowed three of their first five opponents to score in the double digits. However, they haven’t allowed that since then.

Frankfort will look to its ground game and especially running back Jullian Pattison to go against a Roane County defense that’s allowed an average of seven points this postseason.

“We are definitely a run-heavy team,� Whiteman said. “We do throw the ball and do it well. Uriah Cutter has done a really good job. Our kids buy into our system. That’s the biggest thing. The fortunate part also is having these seniors. They’ve worked hard in the weight room.

“They understand what we’re trying to do. Our senior line is good at adjusting to all kinds of stuff. So, that helps.�

Roane County has a potent runner of its own in Watson.

Watson moved to running back last season. This year, he has amassed more than 2,000 yards rushing and has found the end zone 31 times.

“We always knew Lane was an athlete,� Burdette said. “He’s a competitor. He’s a state wrestling champ and two-time 300-meter hurdle champion. Once we started giving him the ball, he started getting more comfortable. He’s just exploded. He’s big and strong and understands leverage.�