Knox Central will be moving on up in the American Cable L4 Security 13th Region Media Network Rankings after stunning previously No. 2 ranked Bell County, 32-28.
And once again, Steve Partin came up big when the Panthers needed him most. He finished with four rushing touchdowns, and the game-winning touchdown pass to KT Turner.
Knox Central entered the game ranked fifth in last week’s poll but will easily move up after snapping a 20-game losing skid to the Bobcats (1-1).
Daniel Thomas started off the scoring for Bell County, scoring from two yards out to give the Bobcats an early 8-0 lead (Ethan Raby added the two-point conversion) with 9:38 left in the first quarter.
Knox Central answered in the second quarter as Partin’s six-yard touchdown run cut the Panthers’ deficit to 8-6 with 11:51 remaining in the first half.
Both teams’ defenses continued to play ‘bend but not break’ efforts before Bell County reached paydirt again.
A 34-yard pass from Blake Burnett to George Pace set up Burnett’s six-yard touchdown pass to Thomas, making the score, 14-6 in the Bobcats’ favor at the 8:39 mark of the second quarter.
Partin’s runs of 13 yards, and 16 yards on Knox Central’s ensuing possession, set up his second rushing touchdown, as the Panthers cut their deficit to 14-12 at halftime.
The two teams continued to go toe-to-toe in the second half.
Knox Central took its first lead of the contest when Partin scored on a one-yard touchdown run with 5:53 left in the third quarter. The Panthers added the two-point conversion to increase their lead to 20-14.
A 23-yard run by Dawson Woolum in Bell County’s ensuing possession led to his 10-yard touchdown run with 2:20 remaining in the period. The Bobcats failed to score the two-point conversion which left the game tied at 20 apiece.
Partin’s fourth touchdown run of the game gave his team a 26-20 edge with 6:05 left in the game but a 24-yard run by Thomas set up another 10-yard touchdown run by Woolum. Bell County added the conversion and led 28-26 with 1:46 remaining.
Down but not out, Knox Central answered again as Partin found KT Turner for a touchdown as the Panthers claimed a 32-28 lead with 52 seconds remaining in regulation.
Bell County marched downfield and reached Knox Central’s 12-yard line but couldn’t find the end zone.
