Franklin cruises to state title game

FRANKLIN- Alex Ford made sure Franklin continued region 6-5A dominance of region 8-5A last night at Franklin in the TSSAA Class 5A semifinals.

The Rebels (13-1) used the power running game of Ford as they defeated White Station (10-4) 35-18 to advance to the 5A title game next Saturday against Oakland, a 35-0 winner over Ooltewah at Middle Tennessee State University at 7 pm.

With Franklin’s win, the Williamson county region of 6-5A have defeated region 8-5A five straight years and six of the last seven.

The Rebels will make their second state title appearance the last coming in 2004, it will also make the third state title appearance for head coach Craig Clayton, who made two Class 3A appearances while coaching Hopkinsville, Ky., high school in 1996 and 1997.

Ford rushed for 169 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns on the night as the Rebel offense took advantage of White Station turnovers and costly penalties.

The Rebel defense came through with three interceptions as Jamaul Starnes, Jonny Jones and Joseph Zegel came up with takeaways.

“Our defense is really playing nights out right now,” Clayton said. “Since the first Brentwood game they have played great, it makes it easy to call the offense when your defense is this good.”

Ford got the Franklin offense going on their third possession of the game as he raced 41 yards untouched to give the Rebels a 7-0 lead.

“The line blocked great as usual,” Ford said. “They opened some big holes for me and I was able to make some things happen.”

Two possessions later, junior Keylo Lee capped off a 12 play, 73 yard drive as he scored from 24 yards out to up the score at 14-0.

The Franklin defense came up big on the next White Station possession as Jones intercepted Spartan quarterback Andrew Marino at the White Station 21 yard line.

Five plays later, Mr. Football Finalist Graham Nichols hit senior Danny Kibler from 10 yards out to give Franklin a 21-0 lead.

White Station had their biggest drive of the game as Marino hit running back Brandon Hayes for a 60 yard screen pass to get the Spartans to the three yard line.

Franklin held the Spartans to a 32 yard field goal as they held a 21-3 halftime lead.

Ford scored his second touchdown of the night from 16 yards out to give Franklin a 28-3 lead.

White Station marched 84 yards on 11 plays early in the fourth quarter as Marino hit Hayes on a middle screen and he scored from 12 yards out to cut the Franklin lead to 28-10.

Ford then capped his night off with his third touchdown scamper of the night as he scored from 20 yards out with 6:41 left in the game.

Hayes scored his second touchdown of the game as he caught a pass from Marino and raced from 34 yards out to cut the lead to 35-16.

Hayes then scored on a two point conversion to make the score 35-18.