For many high school baseball teams in Iowa, the number one goal on their minds is to make it to the state tournament and play at Principle Park. Not for Knoxville. Sure, the Panthers want to get to the final eight team in class three-A…but before the state tournament happens, the conference season is in play. Coach Joel Johnson says it is the diamond in the ring to win your conference title, because in the conference, you play everyone at least three times and every game counts. This season the Panthers won the South Central Conference and had to win a game in Centerville to clinch, Johnson said his guys were ready for that night. He adds you can have an off night in the conference and know it likely does not lose the title. He says an off night in the postseason, and you go home for the summer.

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