Knox Central had hopes of entering the Class 4A playoffs next week with some momentum but a 51-20 loss on the road to Breathitt County Friday isn’t gonna allow that to happen.
The Panthers took an 8-7 lead with 5:47 remaining in the first quarter, and then the wheels fell off.
The Bobcats scored three touchdowns in less than two minutes while reeling off 44 unanswered points the remainder of the first half while never looking back.
Knox Central (5-5) will now shift its focus to next Friday’s Class 4A First Round road matchup against Letcher Central.
Breathitt County marched downfield and scored on its first possession, a one-yard run to take a 7-0 lead with 8:14 remaining in the opening quarter.
Knox Central didn’t budge, Mason Griffith led the Panthers to a touchdown as he connected with KT Turner for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Steven Partin hit Turner for the two-point conversion to give his team an 8-7 advantage with 5:47 left in the first quarter.
The Bobcats returned the favor on their ensuing possession, scoring on an eight-yard touchdown pass while adding the two-point conversion to reclaim a 15-8 advantage with 2:55 to go in the first quarter.
Two turnovers led to two Breathitt County touchdowns as the Bobcats lead grew to 29-8 entering the second quarter.
Breathitt County added another touchdown with 5:29 remaining in the first half as it’s lead grew to 36-8.
The Bobcats continued to take advantage of Knox Central’s miscues. A recovered onside kick led to a 50-yard touchdown pass, pushing Breathitt County’s cushion to 44-8.
Another onside kick, and another recover for the Bobcats gave Breathitt County a commanding 51-8 lead at halftime.
Partin scored his second and third touchdowns of the game in the second half to make the final score, 51-20.
