The Knoxville Football Squad lost to Harlan on Friday 42-26 in a game heard live on 95.3 KNIA. The Panthers and Cyclones were scoreless after one quarter with Knoxville turning back Harlan on 4th down deep in Panthers territory. But late in the first half, two Harlan touchdowns in less than a minute to jump out 14-0. But Knoxville responded with a Kaison Wilder 53 yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 14-6 but the backbreaking play came when Harlan scored just before halftime on a 72 yard touchdown pass to make it 21-6 at the half. Knoxville came out in the second half and cut the lead to 21-12 when Koby Higginbotham hauled in an eight yard touchdown pass set up by a blocked punt. However, the Cyclones ran off 21 straight points to take control. Knoxville Coach Matt Dunkin told KNIA/KRLS Sports he was impressed with the effort of his team.

Dunkin: “We were impressed by the way our guys were locked and after last week when we lost to Perry. We couldn’t be happier and be more proud of the guys. We didn’t get the win, and I think Harlan is going to wake up and know that they played a football game tonight.”

Knoxville got two more scores in the 4th quarter with Wilder getting a 37 yard pass from Brenden Woolsey and Kale Kincaid a four yard pass. The Panthers rushed for 106 yards, 95 from Woolsey who was 11/25 for 159 yards and four touchdowns while Wilder caught four passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Knoxville finishes 2-7 on the season.

Photo from Ryan Northcote