The "Backyard Brawl" lived up to its billing at Riverdale's Tomahawk Stadium on Friday night.
It was a physical tussle from the outset and a game that saw Blackman and Riverdale shut out each other out in the second half.
However, Blackman continued its recent dominance over the Warriors with a late defensive stand that preserved a 17-14 victory in the region opener for both teams.
"It was a brawl," said Blackman coach David Watson. "They played good, we played good and we were fortunate to win."
With Riverdale trailing 17-14 late in the fourth quarter, Riverdale's Marqwell Odom returned a punt to the Blaze's 28-yard line.