CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Before and after Saturday’s 6A BlueCross Bowl, Summit seniors Destin and Keaton Wade appeared focused on the future.
Kentucky flags led the Spartans onto the field, a nod to the Wade brothers’ next chapter Lexington’s newest dynamic duo.
And after the game ended, both brothers talked of how excited they are to take on their future together.
But, they also took time to focus on the past, as they have led Summit to a 46-10 record three straight state championship appearances — two in Class 5A, and one, this season, in Class 6A.
Only once, though, have the Wade twins come out on top — last season against Oak Ridge.
In 2019, the then-sophomores were bested by Knox Central as the Bobcats went back-to-back in Class 5A.
And on Saturday night, the twins fell to another opponent who stepped over the Spartans to go back-to-back: the Oakland Patriots.
Jordan James and Antonio Patterson put Oakland (15-0) at a 28-12 halftime lead. Then, despite a couple of late, big plays from the Spartans (14-1), Oakland’s dynasty proved too much to overcome in a 43-26 win.
It was the Patriots’ 30th consecutive win.
“This is how everyone dreams of finishing,” said James, who will head to Georgia after notching MVP honors for the second-straight season. “I’m proud of my team. I’m proud of how we fought and how we practiced all week to get ready for these boys.”
James, a Mr. Football finalist in Class 6A, ran for 232 yards on 27 carries with two touchdowns.
Patterson, meanwhile, slid into the end zone twice in the fourth quarter to cushion the Patriots’ lead.
While James is headed to the SEC, many have noted that Patterson — also in the 2022 class — needs more looks, especially after Saturday.
Whether he gets them or not, though, he and James certainly combined for some legendary numbers at Oakland.
Now, without James, Patterson, Miami commitment Isaiah Horton and the rest of the Patriots’ senior class, Kevin Creasy will look to rebuild an Oakland team that has emerged as one of the best in the state, if not the very best.
Meanwhile, the Wade twins will head off Kentucky — with only one state ring, but with plenty of statements made for a Summit program that was started just 11 short years ago.
“We set a standard when we came in here,” said Keaten. “We just kept that standard going. It’s been an amazing experience and community to do it with.”
