Today’s number seven moment for Knoxville High School Sports during the 2019/2020 school year was on October 25th. Week nine of the regular season brought the end of the season for the Panther Football Squad. They had already been eliminated from playoff contention, but still had a lot to play for including a sixth win for the first time since 2005. Little did anyone know in Ken Locke Stadium against Newton that not one but two significant school records would be broken that night. One was anticipated, and while the other was a bit unexpected. Carter Bailey came into the game with just over 600 yards rushing on the season. After it was over, he had put his name into the record books breaking Grant Grgurich’s 2005 record of 305 yards with 321 yards on 27 carries and accomplished “The Bundy” with four touchdowns in one game. Earlier this spring, Bailey told KRLS Sports he knew he was close at halftime, and decided to go after the record in the second half.

Bailey:
“I came into halftime, and I was cramping and I thought ‘I’ve never cramped before halftime,’ and I looked at Duncan and I said ‘How many yards do I have?’ He said ‘You’re at 206 yards, you want to go for the school record?’ So that’s what made we work hard and go for the school record.”

Bailey ended the season with 925 yards and 11 touchdowns. He will continue his athletic career at Central College playing football and baseball. The other significant record broken that night was the season interception record. Late in the fourth quarter and the game in hand for the Panthers, Keegan Cox picked off his eighth ball of the season breaking a 41 year old school record.

Cox put a cap on a 41-14 season finale for the Panthers over Newton in which Knoxville finished 6-3 for the first time since 2005. Cox will return for his senior season this fall.