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By DANNY PARKER and JESSE SMITHEY

(Photos below story)

With 11 minutes and 24 seconds left in its game at Brentwood Academy, the Knoxville Catholic football team appeared to be on its way to an upset of the state’s top-ranked team in Division II.

Fifteen seconds later, that forecast got scrubbed and never returned.

Brentwood Academy rallied past upset-minded Catholic, 27-21, on Saturday to remain perfect on the season at 7-0 (3-0 Division II-AAA East).

Catholic, which was playing its first game in a couple weeks because of Covid-19 issues, dropped to 1-3 (0-2). But the Irish were steadfast in their attempt Saturday, answering each Brentwood Academy score until late in the fourth quarter. 

Keondre Jarmon’s 4-yard score early in the second quarter knotted the game at 7-all. The junior running back scored from 13 yards out midway through the third quarter to tie the game at 14 and capped an 11-play scoring drive.

And when Catholic junior QB Kaden Martin scored on a 6-yard run some 36 seconds into the fourth, the Irish took a 21-14 lead and looked determined to knock off BA for the second consecutive year. 

But the Eagles responded instantly and tied the game at 21 with a one-play, 80-yard scoring drive: an 80-yard TD pass to Amir Annoor.

Brentwood Academy nearly salted the game away with a pair of field goals down the stretch. But Catholic got within striking range with 1 second left. However, Martin’s heave into the end zone went over the reach of Tommy Winton.

Jarmon finished with 51 yards rushing on 19 carries. Martin went 13-for-27 passing and 178 yards with an interception, adding 33 yards rushing. Winton had three catches for 49 yards.

Catholic still has region games with Baylor, Father Ryan and Ensworth remaining to try and secure a playoff berth. 

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