McMinn Central’s Brandon Simpson, right, tries to get away from CAK’s Jacob Duncan on Friday, November 6, 2009.

By Patrick Brown

sports@knoxnews.com

KNOXVILLE -- Staring at a fourth-quarter deficit with 10 minutes left, Christian Academy of Knoxville and its prolific passing attack turned to an unlikely source for its heroics.

Running back Carson Pegram ran for 97 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns, and the CAK defense intercepted two passes to complete a 32-22 comeback win over McMinn Central in the first round of the 3A playoffs Friday night at CAK.

"I'm having a hard time talking right now," emotional Warriors coach Rusty Bradley said. "That (the comeback) was nothing more than guys just playing as hard as they could, and that's a testament to their character, their manhood and their faith."

The win gives CAK (10-1) another shot at Alcoa, who beat the Warriors 24-7 last week. The Tornadoes have ended CAK's season each of the past four seasons.

"We just had to keep playing as a team, that was the big thing for tonight," Pegram said. "It feels great. I'm looking forward to next week."

Central (7-4) took a 22-19 lead with three minutes left in the third quarter when Branden Simpson pulled down a jump ball from Zack Rayl between two CAK defenders for a 22-yard touchdown.

CAK punted on its next possession but stopped the Chargers three plays and out. That's when Pegram went to work.

He caught a 10-yard pass on the first play of the drive and ran for another first down. After the Warriors overcame yardage lost due to a holding penalty, Pegram finished the drive, running 21 yards on four consecutive plays, capped by a 1-yard burst up the middle.

"What I wanted to do was just keep running it down their throats and break their will," Bradley said.

Colby Maddux intercepted Rayl on the second play of the Chargers' ensuing series. Pegram scored on the next play, running through tacklers for a 14-yard touchdown with less than five minutes remaining.

Central's desperation drive ended when Aaron Collett intercepted Rayl's fourth-down pass.

CAK scored on its first possession of each half. Quinn Epperly threw a 27-yard touchdown to Davis Burton in the first quarter and a 15-yard touchdown to Blake Houser in the third quarter.

The Warriors scored a safety when a snap went over the head of punter Jamin Godfrey and out of the end zone.

Simpson ran for 76 yards and a touchdown in addition to his receiving score. Rayl scored Central's first touchdown on a 31-yard option keeper following a muffed punt by CAK.

"We just ended up wearing down at the end," McMinn Central coach Josh Goodin said.

The Chargers have lost 11 consecutive postseason games dating back to 1995.

"We've got several (players) that go both ways, and I think it showed at the end. It's rough."