Powell High School Defeated Central High 42-41
Powell secured a victory in overtime to remain undefeated after a high-scoring game in Knoxville.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Football
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Powell High School defeated Central High School 42-41 on September 24, 2026. The game-winning score came on the first play of overtime.
Why it matters
The result significantly impacts the Region 2-5A standings, pushing Powell to a 4-0 conference record while handing Central its first loss of the season.
Powell quarterback Jaylon Benjamin completed 19 of 23 pass attempts for 267 yards and four touchdowns. Tashawn Thomas recorded three touchdown receptions on 102 yards, while DeZion Jackson added 107 receiving yards and one score.
The players
Powell High School
This Knoxville-area educational institution maintains a varsity football program that moved to a 6-0 overall record this season.
Central High School
This Knoxville-area school hosts a competitive varsity football team that dropped to a 5-1 record following this matchup.
Jaylon Benjamin
The quarterback led his team to victory by completing 19 of 23 pass attempts for 267 yards and four touchdowns.
Tashawn Thomas
The wide receiver contributed to the offensive effort by catching four passes for 102 yards and scoring three touchdowns.
DeZion Jackson
The receiver tallied 107 yards on eight catches and scored one touchdown while acting as a tactical decoy.
The details
Tashawn Thomas served as a primary target for Benjamin while DeZion Jackson functioned as a decoy to stretch the Central defense. Powell emerged victorious following the overtime period to improve their perfect season standing.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: Powell defeated Central in a high school football game.
Season Trajectory
This victory places Powell High School in a dominant position within the Region 2-5A standings by maintaining their undefeated status. The outcome forces Central High School to adjust its trajectory for the remainder of the season as it falls behind in the playoff-relevant regional race.
Powell moves to a 4-0 record in Region 2-5A, securing a critical tie-breaker advantage for the upcoming playoffs. Central remains competitive at 3-1 in the region but now relies on other outcomes to potentially climb back into the top seeding position.
The takeaway
This overtime thriller underscores the volatility of regional high school sports where a single possession determines conference hierarchy. Readers should note that unbeaten records in early conference play often dictate home-field advantage for the later postseason brackets.
Further reading
For more local coverage, check out our Football section.
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