By SAM McGAW
Franklin (3-1, 1-0) at Ravenwood (2-2, 1-0), 7 p.m. Friday*
The Franklin Rebels have developed into one of the more dangerous teams in Class 6A.
They’ve outscored their opponents 61-13 over the past two games, including last week’s 41-7 demolition of Brentwood.
Standing in Franklin’s path this Friday is Region 3-Class 6A rival and defending state champion Ravenwood, which is coming off a 21-14 loss against Centennial.
The Raptors have won four straight games over the Rebels.
“The most physical football team is going to win,” Franklin head coach Donnie Webb stated. “If we can beat ourselves, we’ll be able take care of everything else. Our offense has a chance to be really good, as long as we stay out of our own way. Defensively, we’re not there, yet. Yes, we’re playing hard, but we’re still not doing some things, sound-wise.
“We can be as good as we want to be, or we can get beat any Friday night.”
It enters Friday averaging 416.5 yards per game.
Quarterbacks Wes Patterson and Carter Hendry and running back Mitch Rossi lead the triple-option attack.
Patterson has 344 passing yards, 204 rushing yards and four touchdowns this season, while Hendry has 322 passing yards, 155 rushing yards and six touchdowns (2 rush).
Rossi’s recorded 431 rushing yards, 56 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Wide receiver Alex Gaca (13 rec., 354 yards, 4 TDs) is the top target through the air.
He caught five passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s victory.
The Rebels will be met by a stout Ravenwood defense that gave up a season-high 214 rushing yards in last week’s 21-14 loss against Centennial.
“They’re very aggressive,” Webb stated. “I think our offense is the best part of our football team, and there we are having to face a good, aggressive defense that’s going to make us have to work.”
Webb singled out defensive end Tahj Williams as one of Ravenwood’s top defensive players.
Williams will meet his fair share of challenges against Franklin tackles Caden Williams and Max Wray (Georgia commit).
“(Tahj) Williams is a really good player,” Webb said. “They do a good job of moving him around. He’s mainly a defensive end, but he can line up inside as a one-,three- or a five-technique, as well.”
While the Rebels’ offense has been near unstoppable in recent weeks, their defense has been just as dominant.
They’ve allowed 177 total yards or less in each of the past three games. They allow an average of 168.65 yards and 15.25 points per game.
Their ability to defend sideline to sideline will be put to the test against the Raptors’ pass-heavy offense.
Quarterback McCain Marrow (948 pass yds, 4 TD, 4 INT) spearheads the spread attack.
His top weapons are receivers John Rall (30 rec., 349 yds, 1 TD), Seth Smeltz (20/259/1) and Nate Freeman (20/240/1).
“They’re going to stretch the field and spread our defense out,” Webb said. “They’re going to try to make plays in space. We have to make them one-dimensional. We have to take the run or the pass away.”
Defensive end Conner Palk (28 tkls, 10 TFL, 3 sacks) and linebacker Harrison Brown (31 tkls, .5 sack) lead the Rebels’ front-seven, while cornerbacks Jared Howell (2 INT, 4 passes defended, 1 FF) and Gentry Neese (2 INT, 1 PD) headline the secondary.
Sam McGaw is sports editor of Home Page Media Group. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @SamMcGawSports.
