The Knoxville Football Squad was slowed by rain, a muddy field, and Perry in a 17-14 setback to the BlueJays heard live on 95.3 KNIA. The Panthers were stuck in neutral for the 1st half unable to generate much offense after Perry took the opening kickoff back 89 yards for a score to make it 7-0. While the Panthers were spinning their wheels, the Knoxville defense was keeping the Panthers in it, by turning back Perry on several occasions in the 1st half deep in Knoxville territory. Perry did get a score late in the first half to make it 14-0 at halftime. However the tables turned in the 2nd half with Knoxville dominating the possession and stats getting two touchdown passes from Brenden Woolsey subbing for the injured Noah Keefer after he went down early in the game. Woolsey hooked up with Conner Willoughby for an 11 yard pass in the 3rd quarter, then Connor Willis hauled in a 16 yard pass in the 4th quarter to tie the game. The Panthers missed a potential lead changing field goal with just over 2:00 left which gave the ball to the BlueJays at their own 20. After a couple of penalties on Perry that set the BlueJays back at their own five, a 54 yard gain on third down got the ball into Knoxville territory, then a halfback pass to the Panthers five set the stage for the BlueJays to kick the game winner with :02 left. Knoxville Coach Matt Dunkin told KNIA/KRLS Sports the sloppy conditions did not help his team, but it was not the reason they lost.

Dunkin: “To an extent. We wanted to throw the ball like we have all year, and it was sloppy, but both teams had to play on it, and they did a better job.”

Knoxville’s inability to run the ball was a hindrance as the Panthers only generated 66 yards on the ground compared to 157 by Perry. Woolsey was 19/32 for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Knoxville is now 2-6 on the season and will wind up the season by hosting Harlan next Friday.