Future UT Vol helps derail Irish
KNOXVILLE — Kaleb Beasley, a senior at Lipscomb Academy of Nashville, has committed to The University of Tennessee for 2024 — and that looks to be a great thing for the Vols.
However, Beasley was a thorn in the side of Knoxville Catholic Friday night, Oct. 13, scoring both an offensive and defensive touchdown to help lead Lipscomb to a 33-10 victory over the Irish.
Perhaps Catholic co-head coach Steve Matthews summed it up best in his postgame interview by saying, “This is not the Catholic team I know. We did not play our best tonight. Tonight was a low point, and this is not who we are.”
Catholic’s offense could not get untracked all night, and its only touchdown of the night came on another dazzling kickoff return of 94 yards by Braylon Harmon, who seemingly has a long punt or kick-off return in every game.
Harmon, a Wofford University commit, broke his own Catholic record for longest kick-off return (was 91 yards) set just three weeks ago, as his 94-yard dash Friday was right up the middle, outrunning Lipscolmb’s entire kick-off return team, coming with eight minutes left in the third quarter. Harmon’s run made the score 30-10 at that point.
Beasley started the game’s scoring at 7:44 of the first quarter. After he blocked a field goal attempt by Catholic’s Gavin Menard, Beasely scooped up the ball and ran 71 yards for to make the score 7-0.
A few minutes later, after another Catholic three-and-out offensive series, Lipscomb kicker Cy Pepper converted a 35-yard field goal to end the first quarter with the visitors leading 10-0.
Quarter No. 2 continued to be frustrating for Catholic on offense while Lipscomb’s offense added a touchdown on a Zachariah Crockett 7-yard run with 4 minutes until half.
Menard put the Irish on the scoreboard by converting a 41-yard field goal with 21 seconds until halftime, making the score 17-3 at intermission.
The third quarter was more of the Crockett and Jackson Kilburg Show for Lipscomb. Another short Crockett touchdown run and a 39-yard Killburg-to-Beasley pass put the game out of reach at 30-3 at the end of quarter number three.
Harmon’s long scoring return and another Pepper field goal for Lipscolmb finished the night’s scoring at 33-10.
Statistically, Catholic only had eight first downs compared to Lipscomb’s 14.
Total yardage was dominated by Lipscolmb, 301-180.
Freshman Cole Scraggs led Catholic in rushing with 24 yards on four attempts, while Crockett carried the ball 13 times for 76 yards for Lipscolmb.
Quincy Pannell, KCHS senior, led all receivers with 65 yards on four receptions.
Catholic’s record fell to 5-3 overall, 1-2 in Division II-AAA East Region play, while Lipscomb improves to 3-6 overall, 1-2 in region.
Looking ahead
In its final home game of 2023, the Irish host region rival and undefeated McCallie Friday, Oct. 20, in Blaine Stadium. Opening kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
Lipscomb will head back home and host Brentwood Academy Friday night.
