Few realized Shane Knepp could jump so high.
With 38 seconds remaining, the East Knox senior had to leap over two defenders to snag Peyton Lester’s pass in the end zone. That touchdown – Knepp’s fourth of the game – gave the Bulldogs their first lead in Saturday's Division VII regional quarterfinal against Glouster Trimble.
“The coaches kept telling us to do what we know how to do,” Knepp said as he looked at the scoreboard, which reflected East Knox’s 35-28 victory. “God is great. He will make happen what needs to happen.”
The Bulldogs (10-2) trailed, 28-27, with 2:30 to play when they forced the Tomcats to punt. Lester completed two passes for first downs while the clock ran. On the next play, he was hit from behind and fumbled, but an offensive lineman pounced on the loose ball.
On the next play, Lester sent the ball through the air to Knepp.
“I didn’t know he could jump that high,” East Knox coach Cody Reese said, “but I’ll definitely take it.”
Lester completed 24 of 38 passes for 395 yards. He threw for all five of East Knox’s touchdowns. Four of them were put up high enough for receivers to have to bring them down. Knepp did that three times, while Blake Bonham caught one.
Knepp’s other touchdown catch came in the third quarter on an inside slant pattern.
Trimble (8-3) scored on its first four possessions and led for nearly the entire game. Bryce Downs collected all four touchdowns for the Tomcats, collecting 243 yards on the ground in the first half.
In the second half, East Knox’s defense clamped down on Trimble’s rushing attack, holding Downs to 34 yards. The Tomcats had to turn to the air, but they were ineffective, as the Bulldogs allowed Tabor Lackey to complete just three passes all night.
“We made adjustments in the box. Our coaches made the adjustments we needed to at halftime,” Reese said. “Giving up four scores to giving up none. That just shows you what kind of fight these kids have. They never give up, from the first play to the last play.”
After Trimble grabbed a 14-0 lead, the two teams traded touchdowns until halftime, when the Tomcats held a 28-21 lead. The Bulldogs’ score late in the third brought them to within one, but the extra point attempt was blocked.
East Knox faces Newark Catholic in the regional semifinals on Saturday at Marengo Highland Corvette Stadium. The Green Wave (11-1) defeated Caldwell, 42-7, to get there.
