ALCOA — A future University of Tennessee baseball player played high school football in the Knoxville area during Week 1.
Blackman High School had a weekend showdown with Class AAA powerhouse Alcoa Saturday, in a game televised in the area and was a special extra telecast in East Tennessee’s Rivalry Thursday series.
The Blaze dropped a 35-7 decision to the defending state champion Tornadoes at Godard Field at Bill Bailey Stadium in Blount County.
Blackman quarterback Drew Beam, a UT baseball commitment, ran an offense that managed just 27 yards and had just four first downs.
The Blaze’s only score of the night came from the defense when Todd Lark III (a backup quarterback) recovered a fumble and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown with 8 minutes, 23 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Beam, who also plays baseball for the Blaze, committed to the Diamond Vols in July, 2019.
Beam, a senior, is a right-handed pitcher and infielder for the Blaze. He can play first base, shortstop and third base.