The Knoxville Football Squad got down ]too early to Atlantic on Friday night and fell to the Trojans 39-13 heard live on 95.3 KNIA. The Panthers fell behind 18-0 before mounting a scoring strike from Noah Keefer as he kept a read option and scampered 51 yards to pay dirt to cut the lead to 18-7. But an Atlantic score just before halftime put Knoxville down 26-7, and the Panthers never fully recovered. They did get another score from Koby Higginbotham in the 3rd quarter to cut the deficit to 26-13, and were driving deep in Atlantic territory when Knoxville fumbled, Atlantic recovered and turned it into points, and Knoxville never threatened again. Coach Matt Dunkin told KNIA/KRLS Sports it was uncharacteristic mistakes at the worst possible time that did his team in.

Dunkin: “Some silly mistakes throughout the night just really hurt us, and we would commit those just when we got some momentum, but outside of that our guys played hard all night and that’s what we want from them.”

Noah Keefer continued his progression as he had a solid night going 9/16 for 106 yards and a touchdown, plus ran for 82 yards and 12 carries for a total yardage night of 188. However, the Panthers gave up 558 yards for Atlantic, 348 on the ground. Knoxville is now 1-6 and 1-2 in class 3A District six with a trip to ADM next Friday.