The Knoxville Football Squad gets the season underway tonight against Newton at Ken Locke Stadium. The Panthers are coming off a season in 2020 that saw them go 1-7 in the shortened season and dealt with a rash of injuries. Knoxville will start a new quarterback, sophomore Noah Keefer, who saw one start last year as a freshman. The Cardinals are also coming off a frustrating season in 2020 going 0-8 but have several key skill positions coming back. Panthers Coach Eric Kellar tells KNIA/KRLS Sports his team will need to sustain long drives to have a chance to win tonight and not get into a track meet with the Cardinals.

Kellar:
“Sustain some long drives, we don’t want to get into 3rd and 8, and know when we’re going to pass, not that we’ll need to but we want to pass when we feel free to, and just give everything they have no matter the outcome.”

The Panthers offense will be somewhat new this season as well with a more option style attack. Kellar says with the more option oriented offense, he says the blocking schemes have been simplified. You can hear the call on 95.3 KNIA with the pregame at 6:30, and kick off at 7:30.