By SAM McGAW
Extreme Escape Games Game of the Week
Franklin (1-1) at Overton (1-1), 7 p.m. Friday*
The Franklin Rebels want to put themselves in the best possible position when the Class 6A playoffs roll around.
That quest begins Friday when they travel to face the Overton Bobcats in a Region 3-Class 6A bout.
“The bottom line is region play is what sets you for the playoffs,” Franklin head coach Donnie Webb. “Last year, we put ourselves behind the eight ball right off the bat, because Overton pounded us pretty good (41-20 loss). Our focus and goal needs to be to give ourselves the opportunity to play for the lead, instead of playing from behind.”
Franklin withstood a nearly hour-long lightning delay and a second-half surge from Riverdale to earn a 27-20 victory last Friday.
Despite the win, Webb remains concerned about his team’s inability to finish games.
“We had another opportunity to put a team away and we didn’t,” he said. “However, I thought we were resilient and fought to the end and able to make the play at the end to allow us to complete the victory.”
Running back Mitch Rossi (239 rush yds, 34 rec. yds, 2 TDs) led the Rebels with 117 rushing yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. He also had a 20-yard reception.
He’ll look to earn his third straight 100-yard game against an Overton defense that struggled to defend the run in last week’s 33-19 loss against Marshall County.
The Bobcats were carved up for 241 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. They also gave up 127 yards and one touchdown through the air.
“They’re really big and athletic up front,” Webb said. “They’re going to be tough for us to block, because they move well up front. The secondary is athletic and they’re sound in what they do. They play really aggressive.”
Franklin’s passing attack is led by wide receivers Alex Gaca (5 rec., 112 yds, 1 TD) and JP Batarseh (2 rec., 78 yds, 1 TD).
The duo will be challenged by an Overton secondary that features Tennessee commit Theo Jackson at safety.
“Jackson is a special player,” Webb stated. “He has special talents that not all kids have. But at the same time, they have some really good players around him. He’s a really a good defensive back, and I can see why he’s going to be playing on Saturdays.”
Jackson is also Overton’s top offensive weapon at quarterback.
The senior has rushed for 203 yards and four touchdowns and passed for 57 yards.
“We saw last week we have to be able to tackle in space,” Webb said. “We can’t just have one guy trying to make a tackle. We have to be able to keep him out of situations where it’s just one-on-one, because he makes everybody miss.”
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