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Franklin running back Matt Gaca had 156 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns, and a stingy defense helped the Rebels beat Spring Hill, 44-6, on Thursday night.
Gaca ran 26 times for 138 yards, and scored touchdowns in the first, third and fourth quarters for Franklin (5-4). Quarterback Josh Nichols (12 of 22, 167 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions) and wide receiver Chancellor Bright (six catches, 62 yards, two touchdowns) also came up big.
Franklin’s defense held Spring Hill to 65 total yards. Christian Moorman and Khani Kelton each had two stops for loss for the Rebels. Spring Hill had only five first downs on 42 snaps.
Spring Hill quarterback Stanley Worstell was 5 of 14 for 80 yards and threw the Raiders’ only touchdown, a 4-yard pass to Avery Worstell, in the third quarter.
Gaca scored on a 14-yard rush just 3:26 into the game. Later in the quarter, Nichols hit receiver Bright on a 22-yard scoring toss. Ian Burr’s points-after had the Rebels leading 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Nichols hit Bright with an 18-yard touchdown pass with 30 seconds left before half, then, Gaca added a 4-yard touchdown run just 49 seconds into the third quarter.
The Raiders answered with their only score, then, Gaza’s 6-yard scoring run helped Franklin to a 35-6 lead with 11:27 to play.
Franklin’s Alex Cundall hit a 35-yard field goal, then, the Rebels’ D.J. Durham recovered a fumble for a touchdown for the game’s final points.
Franklin travels to Dickson County for its regular-season finale next Friday. Spring Hill (0-9) ends its year by hosting Lawrence County the same night.
