BRADLEY CENTRAL 29, COOKEVILLE 25
The Star: Bradley quarterback Cole Copeland was 30-of-37 passing for 411 yards and four TDs.Up Next: Bradley Central (9-2) plays at Blackman (8-3) in Murfreesboro.…
Friday's second-round Tennessee playoff pairings
(All kickoffs at 7 p.m. local time)CLASS 6A Bradley Central (9-2) at Blackman (8-3)CLASS 5A Farragut (10-1) at Rhea County (9-2) Walker Valley (7-4) at Ooltewah (9-2)CLASS 3A East Ridge (6-5) at Red Bank (8-3) Notre Dame (7-4) at Sequatchie County (11-0)CLASS 2A Watertown (10-1) at Marion County (10-1) Meigs County (10-1) at Forrest (10-1)CLASS 1A Fayetteville (9-2) at South Pittsburg (10-1) Whitwell (6-5) at Columbia Academy (10-0)DIVISION II McCallie (7-4) at Brentwood Academy (7-2) Baylor (7-4) at MUS (10-0)
CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Welcome back, Cole Copeland.
The Bradley Central senior quarterback and two-time Mr. Football finalist had been out since injuring his throwing shoulder in a game on Oct. 7. But by watching the Bears defeat Cookeville 29-25 Friday in the first round of the TSSAA Class 6A playoffs, no one could tell there was ever a problem.
Copeland was 30-of-37 for 411 yards, third-best in a game in school history, and four touchdowns. Bradley coach Damon Floyd watched as Copeland practiced all week and felt he was good to go, as far as throwing.
"He carried us tonight," Floyd said.
Bradley (9-2) will play next week at Blackman (8-3) at 8 p.m. Eastern.
Copeland said he felt a little rusty at the start of the game, but it certainly wasn't noticeable. He put the ball in the air 20 times in the first half, completing 15.
"I guess I needed to get hit a couple of times," Copeland said.
He didn't get hit much, at least not when throwing. Floyd said they didn't want him running much, although he picked up the clinching first down on a third-and-1 run with less than two minutes to play.
"I can't give enough credit to our offensive line," Floyd said. "I don't think he got hit to the ground on a pass play all night."
Lameric Tucker, who had topped the 1,000-yard mark in receiving in the regular season, again led the receivers with 241 yards on 15 catches, including scores of 85 and 28 yards.
Defensive end Malik Whaley had a key sack midway through the fourth quarter and tipped Cookeville's fourth-down pass that enabled the Bears to run out the final 2:13.
"I can't say enough about these guys," Copeland said. "The offensive line was great. The receivers made plays. The defense made the plays when we needed them. What a great team. I'm proud to be a part of it."
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him on Twitter @KelleySmiddie.