Crockett's Finest Season Comes to End at Knox Central
by TREY WILLIAMS
TriCitiesSports.com
November 16, 2018
KNOXVILLE – Even while suffering defeat for the first time this season with a 23-12 setback at Knox Central in the Class 5A quarterfinals Friday, the prevailing postgame vibe for David Crockett’s football program was triumph.
The swift and well-coached Bobcats, who secured their third straight semifinal berth with the victory, were a decided if not overwhelming favorite. Central (11-2) had outscored opponents 415-77 during a 10-game winning streak on its march to the quarterfinals.
But the Pioneers’ record-setting season, which included the program’s first and second playoff victories, never seemed certain to end until Jarred Swislosky’s 21-yard field goal gave Central a 23-12 lead with 4:28 remaining.
“I’m just so proud of our kids and the way that they battled all season long and never giving up,” Crockett first-year coach Hayden Chandley said. “It’s hard now for them to realize it, but this doesn’t define our entire season. We’ve done so much for the community and our East Tennessee area. This little blemish isn’t gonna take that away.
“What we were able to accomplish this year is just second to none and it’s something that these kids and this community will never forget. I just love our kids to death and I hate it for them, because they fought. Man, they play hard. But the breaks just didn’t go our way.”
Crockett’s defense held Central to 295 yards after an unnerving start. The Bobcats opened the game by driving 56 yards in five plays, a scoring dash capped by Demetrien Johnson’s 30-yard TD pass from Dakota Fawver.
Crockett answered, however, when Cade Larkins passed to Prince Kollie for a 19-yard TD with 4:54 left in the first quarter on fourth-and-nine. A big play on the drive was a 34-yard pass to Donta Hackler.
On the TD, Kollie adjusted to the lofted touch pass on a wheel route, dashed along the boundary-side sideline and dove for the left pylon. The ensuing PAT kick was missed.
Central faced fourth-and-nine from the Crockett 19-yard line on the first play of the second quarter when Fawver passed to Braden Gaston for a TD. The scored remained 14-6 until Larkins passed for a 10-yard TD to Micah Robinson with 1:53 left in the third quarter. The pair had connected for a 50-yard completion on the previous play.
The two-point conversion – a draw to Prince Kollie – was denied by the Bobcats defense.
Central made it 20-12 when Johnson took a bubble screen 32 yards to the end zone with 11:52 remaining in the game.
“That’s what we were looking for,” Central coach Bryson Rosser said. “We had been running the ball really well to the tight end (side of the formation). (We) decided to go a little pass away from the tight end and try to get him in space. And his teammate, Isaiah Osborne, made an unbelievable block on the edge to get him to the edge. And he’s a pretty fast kid.”
Central, however, was penalized 15 yards for excessive celebration, and instead of trying to kick a 34-yard PAT, tried a two-point conversion pass that failed.
After a Crockett three-and-out, Central drove 51 yards in 5:47 for the 21-yard field goal that essentially sealed victory with 4:28 remaining.
“We believed the whole week – and until late in the game it was a one-score game,” Chandley said. “Ultimately, we didn’t make enough plays in the end and we made a few mistakes that we couldn’t make. But hats off to Central.
“We had a great season and we’re not gonna let this affect us. We’re gonna hold our heads high.”
Chandley didn’t hesitate when asked about Central’s strengths.
“Speed,” Chandley said. “Speed kills, you know. And we’ve got some speed. But, man, they’ve got it everywhere. And they really got after us and created some trouble in our passing game, not able to pick it (pass rush) up.
“Coach Rosser is one of the most underrated coaches in the state. They’re moving on and, unfortunately we’re left with a bitter taste.”
Crockett was held to minus two yards rushing. But Larkins, a Mr. Football finalist, passed for 248 yards but was intercepted four times. Hackler had more than 100 yards receiving.
“They’re extremely athletic,” Rosser said. “They can find the holes in the zone. If you play zone against ‘em the quarterback can throw it in the right hole. He makes the right reads. … He’s a Mr. Football finalist.
“And it’s hard to defend the pass every single time. They’ve got some playmakers out there.”
Crockett will return playmakers such as Larkins, Hackler, Prince Kollie, Ronquille Joyner and Tony Davis. But Chandley noted the significant contributions made by his first senior class.
“When you talk about Mark (Seidler), Micah, John (Kollie), Adrian (Boles), Doc (Coffey) – we lost J.R. (Giles) earlier in the season – I’ve never been around a group of seniors that were able to carry us like they were, just bringing it every single day,” Chandley said. “They’ve set a standard now.
"The old Crockett standard was play 10 games and go on to basketball season. That’s not the case anymore. Our goal was to have to practice on Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, we didn’t get there, but they set a standard that’s gonna be carried from now on out.”
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL | |
David Crockett | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
Knox Central | 7 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 23 |
KNOX CENTRAL -- Johnson 30 pass from Dakota Fawver (Swislosky kick)
DAVID CROCKETT -- P. Kollie 19 pass from Cade Larkins (kick failed)
KNOX CENTRAL -- Gaston 19 pass from Fawver (Swislosky kick)
DAVID CROCKETT -- Robinson 10 pass from Larkins (run failed)
KNOX CENTRAL -- Johnson 32 pass from Fawver (Swislosky kick)
KNOX CENTRAL -- Swislosky 21 FG
David Crockett | Knox Central | |
First Downs | 9 | 14 |
Rushing Att-Yards | 11-(-2) | 44-125 |
Passes Comp-Att-Int | 14-37-4 | 12-15-1 |
Passing Yards | 248 | 170 |
Total Offense | 231 | 295 |
Fumbles-Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Penalties/Yards | 10-100 | 11-113 |
Punts-Average | 3-15.0 | 3.33.7 |