The Franklin County Cubs picked up their third win of the year, beating archrival Hart County 12-8 Thursday in Carnesville.
“This was a big win for us,” Coach Chuck Holland said. “It wasn't pretty, but our guys overcame mistakes and some adversity and played a hard-nosed ball game, especially in the second half. Hart County has a heck of a football team and this game could have gone either way.”
Franklin took the lead in the first quarter on an Ethan Harbin two-yard run. The two-point try was no good, leaving the Cubs with a 6-0 lead.
Hart responded with a drive that ended in a five-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion was good to put the visiting Bullpups up 8-6.
Hart had another chance to score just before halftime, but the Cub defense made a goal-line stand to keep the score 8-6.
Holland said the defensive stand was “the turning point in the game.”
Franklin took the lead in the third quarter, when Harbin connected with Kendaus Burtch on a 43-yard touchdown pass.
“It was very important to come out on the first drive of the second half and score,” Holland said. “Elliott threw a great ball to Kendaus and he did a great job of doing the rest and finding the end zone to help us regain the lead.”
The two-point try failed, but Franklin held a 12-8 lead.
Late in the third quarter, Franklin’s Gavin Wells intercepted a pass to end what turned out to be Hart County’s final drive of the game.
The Cubs ran out the clock by holding the ball for the entire fourth quarter.
“On offense, we shot ourselves in the foot a few times with penalties, but our guys kept their heads up and worked hard to overcome them,” Holland said. “We had to make a few adjustments at halftime, and I was extremely pleased with how well our offense came out and executed those adjustments in the second half. Our O-line blocked much better in the second half and our running backs and quarterback had some tough runs. I was most pleased with how our offense was able to control the ball and the clock in the fourth quarter; we executed well when we needed to and our guys came up with some big-time third and fourth down conversions. I'm no rocket scientist, but I do know that if the other team doesn't have the ball, it's pretty dang hard for them to score.”
Wells led Franklin with 80 yards rushing, while Kain Roach and Harbin each had 38 yards on the ground. Harbin added 43 yards passing.
The Cubs’ defense continued to be strong. The team has only given up 16 points in its three games.
“I was extremely proud of how hard and disciplined our defense played,” Holland said. “They have some good running backs and playmakers on offense, but our guys did a great job of playing assignment football and making tackles. The interceptions that Josh [Baughcum] and Gavin had were huge. Josh's set our offense up in great field position and we were able to score off of it, and Gavin's ended their drive and ended up being the last offensive play they ran in the ball game.”
Carson Cheek and Roach led Franklin with four tackles apiece.
The Cubs are off this week and will host Habersham County Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m. on Jeff Davis Field at Ed Bryant Stadium.
Eighth grade members of the team, along with cheerleaders, band and auxiliary members, will be honored at the game.
“We've put ourselves in a good position so far, but we have to continue to stay humble, work hard, and get better so we can finish the second half of the season strong,” Holland said.