The David Crockett Pioneers put together a season for the ages.
Along the way, they rewrote the record books by becoming the first football team in school history to go undefeated in the regular season, and the Pioneers went on to earn the program’s first two playoff victories. But last Friday night, Knox Central (11-2) used an efficient offensive attack and an opportunistic defense to beat the Pioneers (12-1) 23-12 in the state quarterfinals.
The Bobcats forced four Crockett turnovers and shut down the Pioneers’ run game in order to advance to the semifinals. Crockett quarterback Cade Larkins kept his team in the game by throwing for 250 yards and two touchdowns, but a drive late in the fourth quarter to keep hope alive stalled near Central’s goal line. Prince Kollie and John Kollie each hauled in a touchdown pass for the Pioneers.
Larkins is a finalist for Mr. Football in Class 5A. The junior threw for just under 4,000 yards this season.
