Shutout is CAK’s playoff start; Catholic out, 28-24
KNOXVILLE — PItching a shutout while getting a defensive touchdown to begin its Division II-AA playoff chase, No. 2 East seed Christian Academy beat No. 5 Middle seed Franklin Road Academy 21-0 at CAK Friday night, Nov. 5.
Improving its record to 8-2, the Warriors travel to Christ Presbyterian Academy for a second-round playoff game begining at 8 p.m. EST., Friday, Nov. 12. FRA’s season ends with a 4-7 record.
Luke Myers, senior linebacker, led the Warriors in solo tackles with six and total stops with 16, including two sacks. He also forced a fumble that teammate Jaqueze Turman recovered and carried for a touchdown.
Eli Etherton (10 total tackles) grabbed an interception.
CAK quarterback Thomas Simpson fired an 11-yard touchdown pass to Grant Sterchi, one of Simpson’s eight completions for 76 yards. Chi McNeil-Harrison had five catches for 49 yards.
One of running back Jay Duncan’s five carries went for a touchdown. JD Dunn Jr. led in rushing with 77 yards.
Christian Brothers 28 Catholic 24
Leading 17-7 early in the fourth quarter, Knoxville Catholic gave up 21 points in the game’s final 12 minutes to Christian Brothers of Memphis, as the Purple Wave edged the Irish 28-24 in KCHS’s Blaine Stadium Friday night, Nov. 5.
This loss, in the opening round of the Division II-AAA playoffs, ends the season for Catholic, the No. 4 East seed, with a 5-5 record. Christian Brothers, the No. 5 West seed, improved to 7-4.
The Irish led 10-0 at halftime behind a 33-yard field goal from Brock Taylor and a Keondre Jarmon 6-yard TD run. Tommy Winton hauled in a 41-yard scoring pass from quarterback Jayden Neal. Jarmon added a 1-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.
