CAK and Concord Christian Advance While Webb and HVA Fall

Postseason football brought dramatic swings for west Knoxville high school teams on Friday, Nov. 6, yielding decisive victories for some local squads and bitter early exits for others.

The stakes shift immediately to the state quarterfinals for the surviving contenders, while defeated programs unpack hard-fought campaigns.

Christian Academy of Knoxville and Concord Christian both advanced deeper into the postseason brackets with dominant performances. CAK defeated Pope John Paul II 37-7, while CCS secured a 49-21 win against Fayette Academy.

Warrior standout Isaac Kannah led the charge by logging 15 carries for 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Kannah also contributed through the air with a 29-yard touchdown pass and added 24 kick return yards, totaling 168 all-purpose yards.

Quarterback Seaton Moffett completed 9 of 12 passing attempts for 111 yards and two scores. Baker Sterchi, Masyn Apalategui, and Sawyer Anderson each hauled in a touchdown catch for the Warriors.

Concord Christian received a similar offensive spark from Dasani Moulden, Dylan Brown, and Maurice Smith. The Lions secured a historic win, with additional details documented in separate reporting.

The Warriors improved their record to 10-1, marking their best record since 2020. That momentum sets up a home game on Friday, Nov. 13, against Evangelical Christian in the Division II-AA state quarterfinals, while CCS advances to face Friendship Christian in the next round of Division II-A.

Spartans and Hawks Fall in Opening Round

Other west Knoxville teams faced steep postseason hurdles. Webb School of Knoxville reached the postseason in its first year under George Quarles, marking the program’s first playoff berth since they went 5-5 in 2024.

That run ended with a 49-14 loss to Battle Ground Academy in the Division II-AA first round. Spartans quarterback Garrett King finished 7-for-19 passing for 80 yards, an interception, and a touchdown.

Antwan Hill caught one of Webb’s three touchdowns, while Gibby Tomberlin found the end zone on a reception from King. Matthew Rogers also tossed a passing touchdown for the Spartans.

Hardin Valley Academy experienced a similarly narrow defeat, falling 27-24 to Science Hill in the first round of the 6A playoffs. The Hawks fumbled the opening kickoff, allowing Science Hill to convert an early field goal.

Cruize Furman answered for HVA with a 22-yard touchdown run. After Science Hill built a 13-3 advantage, a Logan Holbrook field goal narrowed the deficit to 13-10 before the Hilltoppers extended their lead to 20-10.

HVA rallied in the second half behind two touchdown scampers from Matz to claim a 24-20 lead, though Science Hill ultimately reclaimed the advantage.

“It was a bitter way for it to end, but I told the kids I was proud of them, and we set out to accomplish some goals and were able to knock some of those off the chart. We’re disappointed but not displeased. We have got a very resilient group and that’s a core value we established this thing on.”

Reflecting on the hard-fought playoff exit, the coach addressed the team’s long-term trajectory after the game.

“I’m proud of the way they fought through things. Our kids stayed the course and had an opportunity to win and we just weren’t ready. That’s on me. I think you’ve got to celebrate the success of achieving what we did, but now, that creates a new standard of where we want to be moving forward.”

With elimination setting the offseason tone for eliminated squads, attention pivots entirely to Friday, Nov. 13, as CAK hosts Evangelical Christian and CCS prepares to face Friendship Christian.