PHOTO BY COURTNEY RADER
Fulton’s defense smothers Catholic running back Hunter Kountz, but the junior running back and his Irish teammates pulled out a 28-25 playoff win Friday night at Bob Black Field.
By Steve Williams
Christian Academy of Knoxville has earned another shot at Alcoa.
The Warriors rolled to a 48-19 win at Elizabethton in TSSAA second-round playoff action Friday night and will meet the Tornadoes again this week in Alcoa.
“It was a great win for our program, beating a good Elizabethton team,” said CAK head coach Rusty Bradley.
Phillip Nichols had four catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. The Warriors built a 27-0 lead by halftime.
CAK suffered its only loss of the season at Alcoa 33-7 in the regular season finale.
The stakes, of course, will be greater this time in the Class 3A quarterfinal contest. Like the Warriors, Alcoa also is 11-1, with its only loss coming at the hands of Maryville.
“Alcoa is a great team,” said Bradley. “We will have to play really well to win. It will be a huge challenge for us that we are excited about.”
Alcoa advanced with a 35-14 win over Pigeon Forge and the Tornadoes’ highly regarded defense once again was stingy.
In other playoff action involving teams from the local area, undefeated Maryville toppled Cookeville 49-10 in Class 6A.
“We are very excited to advance in the playoffs and get to play another week,” said Red Rebels head coach George Quarles. “Last night was one of our better games. We played in all three phases.”
Dylan Hopkins completed 13 of 14 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns for the Red and Black. Jordan Ervin carried the ball five times for 95 yards and one TD.
Maryville will be hosting Blackman High, which smacked Siegel, another Murfreesboro team, 56-28.
In Class 5A, Sevier County, Morristown West, Rhea County and Ooltewah advanced.
One of Central’s finest seasons in years came to an end in a 27-17 loss at perennial Class 4A power Greeneville.
In Class 2A, Austin-East couldn’t extend its banner season. The Roadrunners traveled to upper East Tennessee to play undefeated Hampton and came up on the short end of a 48-38 shootout.
Grace Christian Academy will get a shot at Hampton (12-0) this week. The Rams (7-5) earned it by winning at Rockwood 35-14
All playoff games start at 7 p.m. (local time).
