Panthers close out regular season with 34-15 victory over Jets and share of MAC crown

The Franklin Panther football team rebounded from an upset loss to Asheville earlier in the week and routed the visiting Enka Jets 34-15 on Friday night to claim a share of the Mountain Athletic Conference championship.  The win improved the Panthers to 10-1 on the season and gave Franklin a share of their fifth conference title in school history.   

 On senior night in the Pit, two Panthers went out in style as WR Kyle Ward caught two touchdown passes (23 and 27 yards) and finished the night with five receptions for 123 yards.  Fellow senior Michael Carson, known mostly for his defensive prowess at his linebacker position, got an opportunity to showcase his skills with the ball and responded with his first career offensive touchdown (60-yard run) and finished the night with 94 total yards (74 rushing, 20 receiving).

 Junior QB Christian Vose set career highs in yards (175) and touchdowns (3) by completing 10-of-16 passes to out duel Enka’s high powered passing attack led by Jeremy Buchanan.  Buchanan managed 268 yards thru the air on 19-of-44 passing, but turned the ball over three times (two interceptions, one fumble) and was sacked twice. 

 Defensively, seniors Carson and Trance Stoudemire led the way with six tackles apiece, while fellow classmate TJ Brown picked off his fourth interception of the season.  Sophomore Tyler Landgrover also picked up an interception, the first of his career, while junior DE Larry Nesbit recovered two Jet fumbles.

 Panthers honored on Senior Night:  Chase Henry, Michael Carson, Robert Browning, Trance Stoudemire, TJ Brown, Kyle Ward, Tanner Cook, Chris Lequire, Nathan Arvey, Will Davis, Jared Gates, Josh Stewart and Michael Meher.

  Franklin will host Eden Morehead this Friday (November 10^th) in the first round of the N.C. 3A playoffs.  Kickoff is 7:30PM .

 FINAL MAC STANDINGS

Franklin 5-1 (10-1 overall)

Asheville 5-1 (7-3)

Roberson 3-3 (7-4)

Erwin 3-3 (5-6)

Enka 2-4 (3-8)

Tuscola 2-4 (2-9)

North Buncombe 1-5 (3-8)

SCORING BY QUARTERS

EHS 0-0-7-8=15

FHS 7-21-6-0=34

SCORING SUMMARY

1^st Quarter

F – Chris Lequire one-yard run (Chase Henry kick)

2^nd Quarter

F – Kyle Ward 23-yard pass from Christian Vose (Henry kick)

F – Michael Carson 60-yard run (Henry kick)

F – Robert Mullins six-yard pass from Vose (Henry kick)

3^rd Quarter

E – Jeremy Buchanan one-yard run (James Gaddy kick)

F – Ward 27-yard pass from Vose (Henry kick failed)

4^th Quarter

E – Kyle Reagan five-yard pass from Buchanan (Reagan pass from Buchanan good)

RECORDS

EHS 3-8 (2-4 in MAC)

FHS 10-1 (5-1 in MAC, Co-Champs)

NEXT WEEK (November 10^th)    

Franklin vs Eden Morehead (1^st round of playoffs)