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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – The Knoxville Catholic football team enters the 2026 season in unfamiliar territory. For the first time in more than a decade, the Fighting Irish know before the opening kickoff that they will not compete in the postseason.
The program is serving a self-imposed playoff ban after recruiting violations involving a non-faculty assistant coach, ending Catholic’s 12-year playoff streak. Despite the postseason absence, expectations remain high.
Knoxville Catholic self-imposes playoff football ban after recruiting violation
Catholic graduated standout wide receiver Tyreek King, who is now a freshman at the University of Tennessee, but head coach Phillip Shadowens believes the Fighting Irish have the talent and depth to remain one of East Tennessee’s top teams.
“We’re blessed,” Shadowens said. “We have 10 underclassmen with Division I offers, and we have a bunch of other kids that are really good football players. It’s been a building process, accumulating talent over time.
“We have a very small senior class with only six seniors, but we have a huge junior class of talented kids and a big sophomore class. We feel like we’re ready to take the next step because our depth is probably better than it’s been since I’ve been here. This is my fourth year.”
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Knoxville Catholic opens the regular season at home against Riverdale on Saturday, August 22.
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