"all good things must come to an end" (Chaucer 1374)

     The Franklin Panthers winning streak over the Smoky Mountain Mustangs was stopped at seven games Saturday night.  The Mustangs broke the losing streak in the "Battle of Cowee Mountain" with a 24-20 come from behind win over Franklin.  This was the first win by Smoky Mountain in the series since 10/1/1999. 

 Games in the "Battle of Cowee Moutain"

    The Mustangs got on the scoreboard first when the Mustang defense held the Panther offense on downs and forced a punting situation.  The snap went over Andrew Raby's head and he was forced to fall on the ball in the end zone for a Mustang safety.  The teams then traded possessions before the Panther offense drove in for an early second quarter score.  Josh Young bowled over from 1-yard (2 Point PAT failed) to put the Panthers on the board.  The defenses dominated and produced a stalemate and the teams went to the halftime break with Franklin leading 6-2.  Midway through the third quarter, Franklin struck again as Christian Vose scored on a QB keeper from 1-yard out (Andrew Raby PAT) to put Franklin on top 13-2.  It was beginning to look like the game was going to be an easy Franklin win, but the Mustangs took advantage of several Franklin turnovers and scored three times in the Fourth quarter.  The first score came on a Jesse Brooks 1-yard run (Nick Zoda 2 point PAT), and then about 5 minutes later on a Colton Hunt 1-yard plunge (Matt Dougherty PAT) to give the Mustangs the lead 17-13.  Franklin was not rattled as Vose led the Panthers down the field and put the Panthers ahead on a 8-yard touchdown to Robert Mullins (Raby PAT).  With Franklin ahead 20-17 with 2:08 left in the game, things were looking good for the Franklin fans.  But Colton Hunt and the Mustangs would strike again and quickly.  Hunt led the Mustangs on a game winning drive that culminated with a 1-yard score (Matt Dougherty PAT) with :35 left on the clock to put Smoky up 24-20.  The Panther offense moved down field, but the Vose hail Mary fell to the turf as time expired.    

     Franklin was led by Josh Young who ran 20 times for 117-yards and a touchdown.  Christian Vose completed 9 of 15 for 135-yards and a touchdown.  Jason Erxleben caught 5 passed for 74-yards while Robert Mullins added 3 catches for 58-yards, and Blaine Clark caught 1 pass for 3-yards.

  Franklin will start the MAC conference schedule as they host the T.C. Roberson Rams Friday night in the Panther Pit.