We are at #2 of the sports moments that defined the Knoxville School year and at #2 is another team that made the State Tournament. Going into the spring, the Knoxville Boys Soccer Squad had fallen short numerous times and fell in the substate final the previous year and were determined they were not going to do that again. After a few early season hiccups the Panthers went 11-0-1 to finish the regular season. After getting a bye in the 1st round of the substate the Panthers dispatched Ballard 3-1 and that set up a match up against top seeded Perry where Knoxville won 4-1 to clinch the 3rd state tournament in program history. Senior Max Magana told KNIA/KRLS it was a relief to get to state in his last opportunity.

Magana: “Lots of hard work. That game felt like one of the longest 80:00 games of my life. I just kept looking at the timer and it was so slow, but we got it done.”

Knoxville would go on to play eventual Class 2A State Champion Gilbert in a state quarterfinal and fall in double overtime 2-1. Knoxville ended the season with a 13-2-3 record.