Historic Season Comes To An End For Knox

Knox ended their season with a school best 11-2 record

It was uncharted territory for the Knox Redskin Football team, as no team in school history, prior to this year, had ever made it past the Sectional Championship Round. John Hendryx’s Redskins did not back down for one second against Mishawaka Marian and forced the Knights to play a complete game in order to win.

The first score of the game came from the Marian defense, as Sophomore Greg Atkinson was able to intercept a pass and return it 45-yards for the first touchdown of the game. Following the successful extra point, the Knights held a 7-0 lead with 3:01 left to go in the first quarter at Community Field. The remaining minutes of the first half were somewhat of a stalemate, as both the Redskins and Knights showed signs of life offensively, as well as defensively, but points were hard to come by in a very physical game. It was not until a successful 35-yard field goal by Marian Senior Hunter Renner that the next score would come, giving the Knights a 10-0, which would be the score at halftime.

The third quarter would see more of the back and forth that was seen throughout the first half, with no points coming from it, but perhaps one of the biggest plays for the Redskin defense came in unusual fashion as Junior defensive lineman Jeff Shanks was able to intercept a pass at the line of scrimmage, giving Knox rejuvenated life. The Redskins would find it hard to get momentum going on the offensive side, although they were able to take advantage of some over pursuit by the Marian defense, utilizing their athletic offensive line with a few counter plays that Junior Payton Baugh was able to take advantage of. Baugh would be the leading rusher on the night for the Redskins, as he carried the ball 13 times for 60 yards.

With the score stuck at 10-0 heading into the fourth quarter, the Redskins still remained upbeat on their sideline and continued to battle with the extremely athletic Knights from Marian High School. The final score of the Regional game would come with 7:42 remaining, as Junior Jayson Johnson would haul in a 17-yard pass from Sophomore quarterback Gabriel Kerr for the final score of the ball game. Following the extra point, the scoreboard would read 17-0 in favor of the Knights.

When all was said and done, it would be turnovers and untimely penalties that would hamper the Redskins in the program’s first ever appearance in a Regional Football game. Regardless of the outcome, the Knox Redskins showed their community that the program has reached a new level. Northern Indiana has also taken notice over the last two seasons, going back to a year ago when the Redskins defeated Jimtown for the first time since 1989, and did so at the home of the Jimmies. It is not only the wins and the records that this team will be remembered for. It will also be the examples set by the players donning the red, white, and blue of Knox High School this year, that will have a lasting legacy. Senior Arryana Posey as well as Junior Emilee Richardson, who were the first female football players to ever compete at the varsity level at Knox Community High School, have clearly left a legacy with their drive to earn roster spots on a Sectional Championship football team. Seniors Koy Wagner, Ja’Kobe Dickson, Martin Napierkowski, Paden Shidler, Dalton Kohn, James Trujillo, Logan Shaw, Ethan Tyler, and Billy Durkiewicz, will forever be known as the first graduating class at Knox to win a Football Sectional Championship.

11-2, Sectional Champions, Regional Runner-up, are things to be greatly proud of. For the community, family, and Redskin fans around the globe, the hard work, the ability to rise to challenges, and the ability to inspire are perhaps the most important parts of the legacy left by the 2019 Knox Redskins.

The winter sports season has gone into full swing now at Knox High School. With a big chunk of the football roster being filled with multi-sport athletes, it will be exciting to see what levels the teams this winter will be able to get to. Congratulations to the Sectional Champion and Regional Runner-up Knox Redskin Football team of 2019!