BARBOURVILLE — Knox Central found itself in a battle during the first half of Friday’s Class 3A playoff opener against Letcher Central, but the Panthers took control after halftime to secure a convincing 48-21 victory.
The win improved Knox Central to 8-3 and sent the Panthers into the second round of the postseason, while Letcher Central finished its season with a 5-6 record.
Brayden Sizemore scored three rushing touchdowns, Eli Carey added two more and freshman Gabe Gray found the end zone twice in the fourth quarter as Knox Central outscored the Cougars 28-0 during the second half.
The Panthers struck first when Carey scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 8:46 remaining in the opening quarter, giving Knox Central a 7-0 advantage.
Letcher Central answered when quarterback Gunner Holbrook connected with Jett Outlaw on a 32-yard touchdown pass with 1:37 remaining, tying the game at 7 heading into the second quarter.
Knox Central regained the lead early in the second period when Sizemore scored on a 10-yard run at the 10:26 mark, putting the Panthers ahead 14-7.
The Cougars responded with a 20-yard touchdown run by Trigg Whisenant with 7:40 remaining. Outlaw added the two-point conversion, giving Letcher Central its first lead at 15-14.
The lead didn’t last long.
Sizemore broke loose for a 16-yard touchdown run with 6:10 remaining in the half. Knox Central’s two-point conversion failed, leaving the Panthers ahead 20-15.
Letcher Central answered again when Holbrook found Outlaw for a 38-yard touchdown pass at the 5:04 mark. The Cougars failed on their two-point attempt but carried a 21-20 advantage into halftime.
That would be the last time Letcher Central scored.
Knox Central came out of the locker room and immediately established control.
Carey scored on a 15-yard touchdown run with 7:38 remaining in the third quarter, and Sizemore added the two-point conversion to give the Panthers a 28-21 lead.
Sizemore then scored his third touchdown of the night on a 3-yard run with 3:26 remaining in the third quarter. The extra point extended Knox Central’s advantage to 35-21 heading into the final period.
The Panthers continued to dominate in the fourth quarter, with Gray delivering the finishing touches.
The freshman scored on a 19-yard touchdown run with 10:03 remaining, pushing Knox Central’s lead to 41-21.
Gray struck again on an 8-yard touchdown run with 4:33 left, and the extra point completed the scoring.
Knox Central coach Wayne Mills praised his team’s response after halftime, particularly the play of the offensive line and the Panthers’ defensive effort.
“Just really proud of our kids came out second half and played great in all phases of the game. Our offensive line opened holes and Eli made clutch throws and Braydon ran hard. Gabe Gray came in fourth quarter, and sealed the deal, that was big for a freshman. Defense shut the door in the second half and turned the game around.”
