Franklin County avenges last year's loss to Western Hills in 24-20 victory
Last season Western Hills toppled Franklin County 36-34 on the strength of four Wandale Robinson touchdowns. Last night Franklin County limited the All-District running back to a mere three touchdowns and a late Dakota Bowen pick six provided the difference in a down to the wire 24-20 triumph for the Flyers over their cross-town rivals.
The 2017 season kicked off with a bang at Benny Watkins Field as Wandale Robinson took a screen pass 32-yards to the house on Western Hills' opening drive.
Franklin County's next drive would fail on the Western Hills 15-yard-line but a costly fumble by Wandale Robinson on the Wolverine's ensuing possession swung the momentum back to the Flyers.
A few plays later Franklin County would start the second quarter with a 42-yard touchdown strike from Jesse Thurman to sophomore Cameron Phelps, who had a coming out party last night with 4 catches for 150 yards, one receiving touchdown, and a huge interception late in the fourth quarter.
Wandale Robinson atoned for his fumble on the next drive with an explosive 45-yard touchdown on an option keeper, extending Western Hills' lead 14-6.
That lead would not remain for long however as Tre Simmons took a bubble screen and raced down the sideline to the Western Hills four. Three plays later Jesse Thurman punched it in to cut the lead to 14-12.
Western Hills would drive on their next possession but come up short on fourth down. Franklin County marched the ball down the field on the back of a 26-yard run by Tre Simmons before quarterback Jesse Thurman pulled off some slick improv and hit his fullback Kyere Walker for a 16 yard score, giving Franklin County a 18-14 lead.
It looked like Franklin County was about to go up by two scores in the third quarter after a 3rd and 37 was converted courtesy of a 41 yard circus catch by sophomore Cameron Phillips gave the Flyers a crucial first down in Wolverines territory. Unfortunately for Franklin County, Jesse Thurman lost a fumble inside the Western Hills five yard line.
Western Hills got out of the shadow of their own end zone on a nice 30-yard run by Jaylen Youngblood. Two plays later Western Hills wrestled the lead away from Franklin County on an electrifying 58 yard touchdown run by Wandale Robinson, putting the Wolverines up 20-14.
After the teams traded fourth down stops, Franklin County get the ball back with seven minutes to play. Desperately needing a score Jesse Thurman throw a jump ball up inside Wolverine's territory which was intercepted by Youngblood, who returned it to the Flyers' 36-yard-line but a penalty brought it back to mid-field.
Western Hills almost lost a fumble but recovered on the next play, but the sigh of relief was short lived. Maybe the fumble was a harbinger. On the next play Dakota Bowen picked off an errant pass by Youngblood and returned it 42-yards for a score putting the Flyers up 24-20 which would be the final score.
Western Hills had one last gasp but a hailmary attempt careened off of Wandale Robinson's hands, harmlessly to the turf. The Franklin County players and student section stormed onto the field and Wandale Robinson knelt dejected about four yards away from pay dirt. Dakota Bowen walked over, shook his hand and patted him on the helmet before running over to celebrate with his classmates.