By Sam McGaw
After surpassing expectations with an inexperienced team last fall, the Franklin Rebels enter 2016 with a battle-tested group that’s ready to take the program to the next level.
The Rebels went 8-4 last year and finished second in Region 3-Class 6A. It was their third straight season with eight wins.
With eight returning starters on offense and a core group of talent back on defense, Franklin has the right tools to be a dangerous team this season.
“We expect to compete for the region championship,” Franklin head coach Donnie Webb said. “I don’t know if that will happen or not. A lot depends on the leadership of our seniors and their ability to play as a team and to push away any selfishness. If we are able to run the football and create more turnovers than we make, then I like our chances in 2016.”
Rebels’ Offense
Franklin’s offense will continue its run-heavy approach with its multiple-option attack this fall.
Last season, the Rebels ran the ball 543 times — 79.7% of its plays — and averaged 4.5 yards per carry.
While they lost two of their primary ball carriers in quarterback Kyle Evans and running back Lannom Craddock, they return a wealth of experience throughout the offense.
With an emphasis on running the ball, the Rebels will look to dominate the battle the trenches with their talent-laden offensive line.
Franklin features four returning starters up front, including a pair of all-region tackles in senior Caden Williams (6-5, 270 lbs) and junior Georgia commit Max Wray (6-6, 275 lbs).
Senior Vaughn Hamill (6-1, 220 lbs) returns to anchor the line at center, and senior Ben McLendon (6-1, 270 lbs) will play guard.
“All of those guys were all-county-type players [last season],” Webb said. “We’re really excited about our offensive line.”
Taking snaps from Hamill at quarterback will either be senior Wes Patterson (5-11, 160 lbs) or junior Carter Hendry (5-9, 160 lbs).
Patterson brings more experience to the position after seeing extensive playing time as Evans’ backup last season. He finished the year with 271 passing yards, 96 rushing yards, six total touchdowns (3 rush) and three interceptions.
Despite an ongoing competition for the job, Webb stated it’s a “strong possibility” Patterson and Hendry both get playing time.
Joining them in the backfield are senior running backs Mitch Rossi (6-2, 225 lbs), Matthew Burns (5-7, 165 lbs), Jonathan Giles (5-10, 170) and Collin Saulters.
Rossi was second on the team in receiving last season with 18 receptions for 242 yards and four touchdowns. He also had six carries for 54 yards and a score.
“We feel like we have a pretty good-sized running back in 225-pound running back Mitch Rossi,” Webb stated.”He’s going to be the ‘A-back’ for us; he’s going to be inside.”
Burns rushed for 493 yards and three touchdowns last fall. A majority of his production came after Craddock went down with a season-ending injury against Mt. Juliet in Week 10.
Spearheading the receiving corps is senior Alex Gaca.
The 6-3, 185-pound target led the team last season with 455 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 13 receptions.
“Alex Gaca is essentially our playmaker off of play action,” Webb said. “If you’re going to run the football like we are and run the triple-option like we are, defenses are going to have to make a decision whether to put two to cover or move one down to the box.
“He should have opportunities to make plays in the passing game.”
Joining Gaca on the outside is speedy senior JP Batarseh (5-7, 155 lbs).
Batarseh had 13 catches for 100 yards and one score last year, while Neese racked up seven receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown.
Max Page (6-3, 225 lbs) is a returning starter at tight end.
Junior Christopher Miller-Hill will handle placekicking duties, and junior Landon Carter is the team’s punter.
Rebels’ Defense
While Franklin’s offense features plenty of stability, its defense will need several players to step into larger roles.
Most of the unit’s experience is in the front-seven, with senior defensive end Conner Palk (6-1, 220 lbs) and linebackers Rossi, Zach Polisky (5-11, 180 lbs) and Harrison Brown (5-11, 185 lbs) all coming off solid 2015 campaigns.
Palk is the only returning starter on the defensive line in the 4-3 scheme. He was an all-region selection last season after he racked up 56 tackles (20.5 for loss), four sacks, four fumble recoveries, one interception and one forced fumble.
Juniors Jake Ellison (5-11, 260 lbs), Hunter Waldrum (5-11, 230 lbs) and Kyle Means (5-11, 240) are expected to join him up front.
Rossi was also named all-region a year ago, as he accumulated 82 total tackles (10.5 for loss), two sacks, three fumble recoveries, one interception and one forced fumble.
Polisky added 72 tackles (9 for loss), three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one touchdown, while Brown registered 32 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one interception.
Junior Jacob Schoeff (5-11, 180 lbs) and sophomore Jonah Albert (5-9, 170 lbs) will also contribute at linebacker.
Senior free safety Carter Bowman brings experience to the secondary. He had 22 tackles, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and one touchdown last year.
Gaca and senior Jared Howell will join Bowman at safety. Neese, Giles and Burns will also see time at defensive back.
Overview
Franklin has earned eight wins or more in all but one season since 2002.
With a solid foundation in the run game and a fierce defensive unit, the Rebels are more than capable of reaching more than eight wins for the first time since 2010.
Franklin opens the season against cross-town rival Centennial on Aug. 19.
“The ‘Battle of Franklin,’ we just look forward to it,” Webb stated. “You know what that place is going to be like.”
The Rebels will travel to Riverdale that following week, and then they will visit Overton for their first Region 3-Class 6A matchup on Sept. 2.
They return home on Sept. 9 to take on Brentwood, and they’ll travel to face Ravenwood the week after.
