A promising start withered away for the Knoxville Football Squad as the Panthers opened up the 2025 campaign on the wrong end of a 56-21 outcome against Centerville heard live on 95.3 KNIA on Friday. Knoxville took the opening drive and marched down the field and ended in a Eli Fuller touchdown reception from Roston McCarty to go up 7-0. The Big Reds responded with a drive of their own to make it 7-6 after a failed two point conversion. Knoxville would keep the back and forth going with a one yard plunge by McCarty to make the score 14-12 after Centerville took the lead. After that, it was all Big Reds as several defensive breakdowns by Knoxville attributed to Centerville breaking the game open. Coach Matt Dunkin told KNIA/KRLS Sports it was good to see the offense start off fast.

Dunkin: “It was definitely nice to come out in the that first drive. We knew their offense was going to be tough, we wanted to win the coin toss and establish the offense early on and have some success.”

Jacob Mitrisin capped off the scoring for the Panthers in the 4th quarter. Knoxville is now 0-1 and will head back home for its home opener next Friday as Mount Pleasant invades Randy Wilson Track.