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Missed opportunities and a powerful Atlantic running game was too much for the Knoxville Football Squad to overcome on Friday night with the Panthers falling on homecoming 20-17 heard live on 95.3 KNIA. The Panthers hit the scoreboard first with a Connor Willis 23 year field goal to put Knoxville up 3-0, but Atlantic took the lead in the second quarter 6-3 and after a couple of three-and-outs the Panthers got a 30 yard pass from Noah Keefer to Jay Kellar and the Panthers took the lead 10-6, but Atlantic got the ball back and goright t down to the field to score a touchdown with :07 left to take the lead for good and take momentum into the halftime break. Coach Matt Dunkin told KNIA/KRLS his team had plenty of chances to score more points and they did not take advantage.
Dunkin: “We had our chances and that’s what we talked about our guys about adn we have to take advantage and not let them bite us.”
Knoxville would close the gap to three after Atlantic stretched the lead to ten, but the Panthers could get no farther. Knoxville only generated 159 yards of total offense with Noah Keefer throwing for 183 yards on 13/17 with a touchdown. Jay Kellar had four catches for 77 yards and a score, and Dakota Ramsey carried the ball nine times for 27 yards. Knoxville is now 2-3 and 0-1 in class three-A District six. The Panthers travel to Nevada next week.