Franklin Ousted in State Quarterfinals

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The Franklin Rebels had a tough task to overcome in their quarterfinal matchup.

They had to travel all the way to Memphis to take on the undefeated Whitehaven Tigers, Region 4-6A’s top seed.

Behind a big performance from quarterback Lesley Mosby, the Tigers (13-0) were too much for Franklin (10-3) and ended the Rebels’ season 35-14.

Franklin got onto the scoreboard first with an 8-yard run by JP Batarseh just a minute and 20 seconds into the game, but from there it was all Whitehaven.

The Tigers scored 35-straight points behind four touchdowns from Mosby. He connected on an 11-yard pass to Kylan Watkins, the running back’s second TD of the game, to give Whitehaven its first lead 14-7.

Mosby then scored on rushes of 30, 26 and 43 yards to put the game out of reach.

Batarseh added a late touchdown on a 30-yard pass from Carter Hendry.

Batarseh finished with two catches for 37 yards and a touchdown to go along with his 8-yard rushing score, his only rush attempt. Mitch Rossi added 16 carries for 69 yards.

The loss ends the Rebels’ season. They finished 10-3 and were the runners-up in Region 3-6A with a 6-1 league record.

Franklin’s lone region loss came in overtime to Mt. Juliet 42-35 on Oct. 21. The Rebels’ other defeat was to crosstown rival Centennial in a thriller to open the season on Aug. 19.