Knoxville Central linebacker Seth Armstrong (28) pulls down Memphis East running back Timothy Taylor, right, during the first half of the Division I Class 4A Tennessee high school football championship game Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, in Cookeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Timothy Taylor ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns, and Memphis East broke open what had been a defensive matchup as it beat Knoxville Central 27-3 Saturday afternoon in the BlueCross Bowl Class 4A football title game at Tennessee Tech.
The Mustangs (13-2) led 7-3 until Tarique Barnes caught a 66-yard touchdown pass with 3:06 remaining in the third quarter. Taylor – who was named the game’s offensive MVP – scored on a 5-yard run on the final play of the third, and Jaylon Burrus caught a 22-yard touchdown in the fourth.
Zechariah Zolicoffer made eight tackles (two for loss) on his way to being named defensive MVP.
Jadarius Sackie led the Bobcats (12-3) with 20 carries for 105 yards, and he blocked a punt that set up a 36-yard field goal by Elijah Holbert in the second quarter.
Each school was making its first title-game appearance since 1999, when they met in the 4A final and the Mustangs won 20-14 for their only other championship.