Now just two wins from Cookeville, CAK crushes Boyd-Buchanan 52-12
KNOXVILLE — Christian Academy of Knoxville kept its perfect football season going Friday night, Nov. 6, using a big fourth quarter to advance.
“Our defense made plays, and they’ve made plays all season,” CAK head coach Travis Mozingo said after his squad notched a 52-12 win over Boyd-Buchanan (3-6) in the opening round of the Division II-AA playoffs at Warrior Stadium.
Things were close early, but the Warriors (11-0) scored first when Chase Stokely kicked a 24-yard field goal, which provided the only first quarter scoring.
CAK scored a safety when Luke Myers sacked quarterback Eli Morris.
Chi McNeil-Harrison also had an interception for the Warriors.
Offensively, running back J.D. Dunn Jr. rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns.
“J.D. had another solid game for us tonight,” Mozingo said. “In the second half we kind of asserted ourselves.
“But we threw more tonight. too,” he added, as CAK quarterback Ryan Degges went 17-for-28 passing and amassed 219 yards, finishing the contest with scoring strikes to Caleb Sparkman, covering 33 yards, and Grant Sterchi on an 8-yard slant pattern.
“Ryan did a great job spreading the ball around and getting a lot of guys involved,” Mozingo said. “Caleb Sparkman and Grant Sterchi both made big plays for us.”
Late in the game, Dario Love scored on a 15-yard touchdown scamper and backup quarterback Thomas Simpson connected with Sloan Helton on a 35-yard scoring strike to culminate a 27-point fourth quarter for the Warriors.
CAK will host Goodpasture Christian (8-2) in the state quarterfinals (7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13). The Cougars eliminated Webb School of Knoxville 28-21 in the first round.
