By SAM McGAW
Extreme Escape Games Game of the Week
Wilson Central (6-1, 3-1) at Franklin (5-1, 3-0), 7 p.m. Thursday*
The Franklin Rebels don’t need much motivation. However, a win Thursday night against Region 3-6A foe Wilson Central would be an added bonus for them.
It’s been just under 11 months since the Rebels saw their 2015 campaign crumble with a 21-20 loss against the Wildcats in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs.
While retribution may sit in the back of the Rebels’ minds to some degree, their goal of gaining more control of the region is what drives them.
“The only thing that playoff game has any factor on in this game is that it was just a sore spot in ending our season,” Franklin head coach Donnie Webb said. “They were the better team and we moved forward. Obviously, a lot of the same players will be on the field, but it’s two different teams now.”
Franklin rides a five-game winning streak into the contest after defeating Antioch 45-7 last week.
It was the second time in the last three games the Rebels scored 41 points or more. They average 31 points per game.
Running back Mitch Rossi is the main cog in the high-powered triple-option attack.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior has rushed for at least 95 yards and scored a touchdown in every game this fall.
He rushed for a season-high 136 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s victory.
“I think it all starts with his brain,” Webb said. “He realizes how the plays are developed and after that his talent takes over. A lot of backs will hit the wrong hole, but he knows where the play is being blocked for. He wants to work hard and do well.”
Rossi enters this week with 667 rushing yards, 98 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns.
He’s joined by quarterbacks Wes Patterson and Carter Hendry in the backfield.
Patterson has 415 passing yards, 293 rushing yards and six touchdowns (1 run), while Hendry has 370 passing yards, 232 rushing yards and eight touchdowns (4 run).
Franklin will lean on the trio to slice through a Wilson Central defense that’s allowed 20.7 PPG.
“They’re very physical up front,” Webb stated. “They want to be physical on our option game and make us play all phases of the game. It’s a traditional 50 (front) defense, and they do a good job with it. They also do a really good job with their secondary.”
A major key for the Rebels this week will be their ability to control the clock. Led by their ground attack, they average just under 33 minutes of time of possession per game.
With the Wildcats averaging 40.71 PPG, it’ll be crucial for the Franklin to keep them off the field as much as possible.
“Without a doubt this is the toughest challenge we’ve faced this year,” Webb said. “They’ve scored a lot of points and not many people have held them down at all.”
Wilson Central is led by the four-headed monster of quarterback Blake Meadors, running back Tyler Bowes and wide receivers Colton Dowell and Devon High.
Meadors has 1,282 passing yards, 166 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns (4 run) and two interceptions this season, while Bowes has recorded 671 rushing yards, 121 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.
Dowell has caught 24 passes for 490 yards and five scores, and High’s recorded 351 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
“The quarterback is a good-looking player,” Webb said. “He stands in the pocket and he throws the ball really well. Then, they have both of their receivers back from last year. Their whole offensive line is also back. The way I’m looking at it, 10 of their 11 starters on offense are seniors. They do a good job with their offense. Either the run game with (Bowes) or throwing the ball in space to (Dowell) or (High).”
Sam McGaw is sports editor of Home Page Media Group. Email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @SamMcGawSports.
