LOG MOUNTAIN — Bell County’s Daniel Thomas turned in another stellar effort on Friday along with teammate Blake Burnett as the Bobcats handed Knox Central a 52-28 loss
Thomas ran for five touchdowns in the win as the Bobcats improved to 7-2 while the Panthers fell to 4-3.
The game lived up to its hype as both Thomas, and Knox Central’s Steve Partin both turned in stellar efforts.
After Bell County’s defense forced Knox Central to punt on its first drive, the Bobcats answered with a touchdown to take an early 6-0 lead.
Blake Burnett found Kaleb Miller open for a 39-yard touchdown pass, but Bell County couldn’t convert the two-point conversion with 1:31 remaining in the first quarter.
It didn’t take long for the Panthers to answer.
Steve Partin broke free for a 47-yard which set up his two-yard touchdown run with 10:15 remaining in the second quarter. He also added the two-point conversion to give his team an 8-6 lead.
Blake Burnett did the damage on the Bobcats’ ensuing drive.
Knox Central’s lead didn’t last long as Burnett’s 29-yard touchdown run set up his six-yard touchdown run. He also added the two-point conversion to give Bell County a 14-8 lead with 7:12 remaining in the first half.
The Panthers turned the ball over on the ensuing kickoff which gave the Bobcats great field position to increase their lead.
Daniel Thomas broke free for a first down with a 16-yard run while his 14-yard touchdown run increased Bell County’s advantage to 20-8 with 6:54 left in the second quarter.
Partin’s second rushing touchdown of the game, a five-yarder cut Knox Central’s deficit to 20-14 at halftime.
Bell County came out in the second half, and marched down field as Burnett’s 29-yard run set up Thomas’ second touchdown run of the game, which was also a 29-yarder,
Thomas added the two-point conversion to make the score, 28-14, with 11:17 left in the third quarter.
Knox Central answered as Partin scored a touchdown through the air this time around as his five-yard pass led to Landen Daughtry finding paydirt, cutting the Panthers’ deficit to 28-20 with 4:31 remaining in the third quarter.
Thomas began to take over on Bell County’s ensuing drive.
Runs of 27 and 22 yards from Thomas set up his five-yard score while giving the Bobcats a 36-20 lead with 2:25 left in the third quarter.
An interception by Burnett set up Thomas’ four rushing touchdown, a 12-yarder, as Bell County’s lead grew to 44-20 with 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Thomas added his fifth rushing touchdown, a 42-yarder, to wrap-up the Bobcats’ 52-28 win.
