By Steve Williams

Central High’s football team has a big challenge ahead of it this week in the TSSAA 5A playoffs.

Region 1 champion David Crockett High will be riding into Fountain City with a 12-0 record. In their second round game last week, the Pioneers posted a 32-0 win over Tennessee High, a team that defeated Central 19-16 in Week 1 this season.

“We will be taking on a really good David Crockett team that has had an unbelievable season,” said Central Coach Bryson Rosser.

“They find ways to win, have great leadership in their coach and take advantage of their opponents’ miscues.

“What impresses me most about them,” added Rosser, “is their ability to throw the ball and have a balanced attack against most teams. They have some athletes on the field as well and really put their players in a good position to be successful.”

Rosser’s Region 2 champion Bobcats turned in another all-round performance in their 49-7 win over Daniel Boone High Friday night.

The Bobcats (10-2) will ride a 10-game win streak of their own into Friday night’s quarterfinal game at Dan Y. Boring Stadium.

Coach Rosser said his team again got “solid play” from its defense, the offense was “productive, especially in the red zone” and special teams were “opportunistic” as well against Boone.

“Our kids played with confidence and a sense of urgency. I am proud of their performance and attention to details.”

Quarterback Dakota Fawver completed 10 of 15 passes for 142 yards and three touchdowns. Braden Gaston rushed for two TDs and also scored on an 86-yard kickoff return. Demetrien Johnson snagged two TD passes and Makhi Anderson got the other one with an 18-yard catch.

Daunte Holliday scored on a 50-yard punt return. Devone Moss contributed 106 yards rushing on nine carries.

Defensively, Tyler Bost had six solo stops and Xavier Washington five. Eli Sharp blocked a punt and Gaston also had an interception.

 

THE RECIPE: Austin-East Coach Jeff Phillips knows what it will take for his Roadrunners to knock off undefeated Alcoa in the Class 3A quarterfinals Friday in Blount County.

“Beating Alcoa is simple,” said Phillips. “Our line must play better than their line.”

A-E lost to Alcoa 31-8 in the two teams’ regular season matchup in Knoxville in Week 11.

The Roadrunners warmed up for the Tornadoes with an impressive 54-6 win over Gatlinburg-Pittman last week.

“Isaiah Ligon and Jazine Pelcher led the way for us,” said Phillips. “They ran the ball really well and allowed us to get going on the ground. Our defensive play was a group effort by our starters. Wesley Allen had an interception.”

 

FOUR LEFT: Farragut is among four Knox County teams still in the running for post-season honors. The others are A-E, Catholic and Central.

Coach Eddie Courtney and his Admirals have a tall task in the Class 6A quarterfinals this week at Maryville. Both teams are 11-1.

Webb School’s season came to an end in the Division II Class AA quarterfinals Friday night when the host Spartans bowed to Battle Ground Academy 30-10.

 

WORKHORSE: Halls’ TJ Holmes had 38 carries for 209 yards rushing and one touchdown in the Red Devils’ 20-17 overtime loss at David Crockett in the first round of the playoffs.

 

BUTCH’S BOY: Adam Jones, son of former UT coach Butch Jones, is “probably being recruited the hardest” by Chattanooga and Western Kentucky, Catholic Coach Steve Matthews said recently.

Jones, a wide receiver, has had back-to-back standout performances in the playoffs for the Irishmen.

 

PREPS OF THE PAST: Thirty-five years ago, Nov. 11, 1983 – Austin-East quarterback Jeff Troutman scored two touchdowns, one on a 19-yard run, as the Roadrunners beat Kingston 21-7 in a TSSAA Class AA first-round playoff game. A-E (11-0) also claimed the Region 2-AA title with the win. Charles Dragg scored the other TD on a 1-yard run.

Defensively, Eugene Minor had an interception and E.J. Yarbrough a fumble recovery that led to a 34-yard scoring drive. David Walker, Richard Ragland and Vincent Johnson led a solid defensive effort on the line of scrimmage.

Donald Patterson rushed for 70 yards to lead the ground attack for Coach Sam Anderson’s team.