Franklin High School Football 2017 Preview

franklin high school

 By Donovan Stewart from tnhighschoolfootball.com

Franklin Rebels

City– Franklin

County– Williamson

Enrollment– 1,745

Last Year’s Record– 10-3, lost to Whitehaven in 6A Quarterfinals

Region– 6-6A

Head Coach– Donnie Webb (53-55 overall, 38-19 in five years at Franklin

Offensive Coordinator– Andrew Tomlinson

Defensive Coordinator– Andrew Holcomb

Assistant Coaches– Ken Curtis (RB), Tucker Cathey (OL), Colton Addison (TE), Collin Wells (WR), Sean Temple (DL), Travis Sheppard (LB)

Offense– Spread Option

Defense– 3-4

Returning Starters on Offense and Defense– 8 (5 Off/3 Def)

Last Playoff Appearance– 2016

Key Returnees– Max Wray (OL, Sr., Ohio State commitment), Kyle Means (OL, Sr.),  Hunter Waldrum, (OL, Sr.), Carter Hendry (QB, Sr.), Gentry Neese (WR/DB, Sr.), Christian Moolman (DL, Jr.),  Khani Kelton, LB, Jr.),  Landon Carter (P, Sr.),  Christopher Miller-Hill (K, Sr.),  Adam Sirface (DL, Sr.),  Price Wynn (LB, Sr.), Chancellor Bright (WR, Soph.), Spencer Holder (WR, Jr.),  Michael Crowther (RB, Sr.), , Rashad Jenkins (RB, Jr.) Matt Gaca (RB, Jr.)

Key Losses– Caden Williams (OL), Mitch Rossi (LB), Conner Palk (DE), Zach Polisky (LB), Harrison Brown (LB), Vaughn Hamill (OL), Alex Gaca (WR), J.P Batarseh (WR), Ben McLendon (OL), Max Page (TE), Wes Patterson (QB)

Outlook:

Franklin will be shooting for a fifth straight Class 6A playoff appearance in 2017.

The Rebels are coming off their first Quarterfinal round since 2009 as they finished 10-3 last season being eliminated by eventual 6A champion Whitehaven.

Franklin returns five players on offense led by senior quarterback Carter Hendry who will be the full-time starter this year after splitting time with Wes Patterson last year. Hendry accumulated 1,405 yards of total offense (827 passing, 578 rushing) and 19 touchdowns as the part-time starter so those totals will go up in 2017.

His protection from the offensive line should be very good as well. Ohio state commitment Max Wray (6-6, 290) will lead the line that also returns two more starters in fellow seniors Kyle Means and Hunter Waldrum.

Franklin took quite a graduation hit at the running back and wide receiver positions so expect some youth at those positions but senior Gentry Neese will return to add some stability as he caught 18 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns while also running for 100 yards and scoring another touchdown in 2016.

In the Rebels’ wide receiver rotation besides Neese will be junior Spencer Holder and sophomore Chancellor Bright as well as senior Michael Crowther. Juniors Rashad Jenkins and Matt Gaca will compete for the starting spot at running back.

The Rebels will have to find eight starters on defense but do bring back some experience with juniors Christian Moolman (55 tackles, two sacks, one interception) on the line, Khani Kelton (43 tackles) at linebacker and Neese (10 tackles, three interceptions) in the secondary.

Also look for seniors Price Wynn (18 tackles, INT) at linebacker and Adam Sirface (16 tackles) on the defensive line to get time as starters in 2017.

Franklin does return a duo of senior specialists in  Christopher Miller-Hill at kicker and Landon Carter at punter. Both guys give Franklin an edge in close games.

Miller Hill connected on 57 of 58 point after attempts and also made nine field goals for 84 points on the year while Carter averaged 33.6 yards per punt last year.

Franklin Since 2010:

55-26 overall record, six playoff appearances

2010- 9-3

2011- 8-4

2012- 4-6

2013- 8-3

2014- 8-3

2015- 8-4

2016- 10-3

By The Numbers:

107- Number of years that Franklin has operated as a school as it opened in 1910

1912- First graduation class at Franklin, which is the oldest public school in Williamson County

Franklin In the Playoffs:

Total Number of Playoff Appearances- 22

Playoff Record- 26-22

Deepest Playoff Run- Made Class 5A state finals in 2004 and 2008

Coach Webb’s Thoughts:

“We have to replace 14 out of 22 starters.  We have a great core of returning lettermen that will work to continue the success of the seniors before them.  Our schedule is very demanding this year beginning with Brentwood.  We must grow up fast as a team to be successful in our district.

2017 Schedule

*August 18- Brentwood

August 25- Riverdale

*September 1- at Ravenwood

September 8- McGavock

*September 15- at Independence

September 22- at Hendersonville

*September 29- at Centennial

October 6- Oakland

October 13- OPEN

October 20- at Spring Hill

*October 27- Dickson County

*Denotes Region Game