Panther football is back in the win column.
After falling in overtime to Brevard the previous week, on Sept. 26 Franklin continued their conference schedule, traveling to Canton to take on the Pisgah Black Bears. With a 37-26 win they improved their Mountain Eight record, ending the week tied for third place at 2-1.
Franklin’s offense came out firing to start the game, taking over at their own 42 following a Pisgah three-and-out and marching 48 yards in six plays to the Black Bear 10. This came despite an injury to senior right guard Garrett Roper, who was replaced midway through the drive by junior Weston Alberry. On first-and-goal from the 10, Garrett Young scored on a handoff to the right, but Franklin missed the extra point to keep the score at 6-0.
Pisgah answered on their second possession, driving 65 yards in eight plays to the Panther 1. On second-and-goal the Black Bears scored on a run up the middle, and also missed their extra point to keep the score tied at six.
Franklin’s offense stayed hot on their subsequent drive, riding a steady dose of runs from Young and Addix Sutton. On first-and-goal from the 1 Sutton capped a 10-play, 83-yard drive, and Juan Olvera nailed the extra point to put his team ahead 13-6.
Payton King made the play of the game for Franklin’s defense moments later, intercepting a pass on the first play of Pisgah’s next drive and returning it 21 yards to the Bear 21. From there Young needed just three bulldozing runs to put his team up 20-6. the sophomore sacked Pisgah’s quarterback just three plays later to force another Black Bear three-and-out.
Franklin kept rolling despite a steady rain on their next drive, marching 65 yards in seven plays to the Black Bear 9. On second-and-4 Young scored around the left edge to give his team a commanding 27-6 lead. Pisgah received the ensuing kickoff in the second quarter’s final minute, before a Daiveon Hall sack ended the half.
Pisgah came out firing after the break, driving 48 yards in five plays from their own 23. On fourth-and-5 from the Panther 29 the Bears completed a pass to the end zone, and added a 2-point conversion to cut Franklin’s lead to 27-14.
Pisgah stayed hot on their next offensive drive, completing another deep pass for 52 yards. The gain gave the Black Bears a first-and-goal from the Panther 8, from which they scored again on a run up the middle. They then attempted another 2-point conversion, but the Panther defense held firm to keep their lead at 27-20.
Franklin’s offense kicked back into gear on their next drive, marching 60 yards on 12 plays to the Black Bear 7. Unable to find the end zone, the Panthers turned to Olvera, who nailed a 25-yard field goal to extend his team’s lead back to 10.
Both defenses traded stops for the next two drives, until Pisgah returned a punt 43 yards to Franklin’s 37. From there the Black Bears took advantage of their field position, scoring five plays later with just three minutes to play. Still down 30-26 Pisgah tried for another 2-point conversion, but Young brought down the Bear ballcarrier in the backfield.
Franklin’s special teams unit saved their best for last on the ensuing kickoff, clearing the path for a 66-yard return by Gabe Harrison. On third-and-six from the Black Bear 20 Young put the game on ice, bowling over defenders for his fourth score of the night. Franklin defended their 37-26 lead to the horn.
“Honestly just keeping a laser-focus, and going out and leading my team,” said quarterback Anderson Terrell of withstanding Pisgah’s third-quarter scoring blitz. “Garrett Young is unbelievable, and we also had Weston Alberry step in tonight. He was big – I couldn’t do it without the line. ... It’s been a great year for my junior year, we’re just going to keep on going, and we’re ready for the playoffs.”
“We talked at halftime, and we knew we were going to get that kind of response out of Pisgah,” said head coach Josh Brooks. “I was hoping that we would make a few more plays, but we knew that was going to be the attitude. They went straight man-to-man and packed the box with nine people, and credit to them. Like I said, we knew what we were going to get, but instead of folding and panicking we fought back, got a huge drive when we needed it, put the ball in the end zone, and then got a stop when we had to have it. [Pisgah Memorial Stadium] is just an unbelievably tough place to win, and we haven’t won here, I don’t think, since 2017, so this one feels good.”
The shootout win improved Franklin’s overall record to 4-2, ahead of a homecoming clash with Tuscola at Western Carolina University Oct. 3. They’ll enter that game tied with Tuscola and Pisgah in the conference standings, just half a game back from Brevard and West Henderson (2-0). The Panthers will travel to West Henderson for their regular-season finale on Halloween.