Franklin surprises Mansfield

Mansfield was poised to run out the remaining three minutes of the game. However, the Hornets decided to throw the ball. That proved to be a fatal error as Garvey intercepted a Nik Busharis pass that paved the way for Franklin’s stunning 29-28 come-from-behind victory.

“That interception was a big play,’’ said Franklin coach Brad Sidwell. “We talked about expecting to win and they did.’’

Five plays after the interception, Garvey provided more heroics.

Facing fourth and 8 from the Mansfield 32 yard line, Panther quarterback Nick Colson lofted a pass into the end zone. Garvey out jumped a Mansfield defender and snatched the pass, pulling the Panthers within a point at 28-27 with about a minute remaining in the game.

“I am speechless,’’ said Garvey after the game. “I usually don’t run that route and I was just lucky to catch the pass and I got a perfect throw from Nick.’’

With kicker Sam Scoba inactive, Sidwell went for two after Garvey’s score. Colson scrambled then threw across his body to a wide open Greg Dellorco for the winning conversion.

Two minutes before Garvey’s interception and touchdown, Franklin faced a fourth and goal from the Mansfield 3-yard line. Colson (134 yards passing, 106 rushing) found Dellorco on a slant route for the score and added the two-point rush, cutting the deficit to 28-21.

In the first half, Mansfield was aided by luck. The first Hornet touchdown came off a tipped pass. Jamel Marshall aired the ball out on a halfback option play. Franklin’s Jordan Nesmith batted the ball up in the air but it fell into the hands of Jeffrey Hill for a 38-yard touchdown.

Two series later, Matt Carini (158 yards rushing) tied the score at 7-7. A 50-yard punt by Mansfield pinned the Panthers at their own 8-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Carini ran off left tackle. He burst through the line and outraced a slew of Mansfield defenders to the end zone.

The Hornets were able to bounce right back. Mansfield held the ball for over six minutes on a drive that culminated in a Shawn Doherty 1-yard touchdown plunge.

On the ensuing kickoff, Mansfield tried an onside kick and recovered it. Six plays later, Doherty (179 yards rushing) was in the end zone again, this time finding his way in from three yards.

Franklin responded to Doherty’s touchdown right away. Colson rushed for 52 yards on a third-and-one, bringing the ball to the Mansfield 5-yard line. Two plays later, Colson dove in from three yards, making the score 21-13.

Mansfield’s final score came right before Franklin’s theatrics. Doherty snared a 3-yard touchdown pass from Busharis and was able to get a foot down in the back corner of the end zone, giving the Hornets a 28-13 lead.