Franklin perfect in Hockomock League
FRANKLIN - For the first time in 27 years, Franklin defeated the big three in the Hockomock League. The Panthers dispatched North Attleboro, 14-7, last night to complete the trifecta, having already beaten Mansfield and Foxboro. And with King Philip’s loss to Fairhaven last night, Franklin is the only unbeaten team left in the Hockomock.
“I have never been a part of a team like this,’’ said standout running back Matt Carini. “But this is what we expected to do.’’
Franklin’s victory didn’t come easily. Brett Mastropoll pinned Franklin at its own 1-yard line with a 67-yard punt with just more than two minutes left. The Panthers were able to escape the shadows of its own goal line but was forced to punt from the 25-yard line. Steve Santangelo shanked the kick, giving North Attleboro the ball at the Panther 40-yard line with 14 seconds remaining. However, on the first play, Carini picked off Joe Kummer’s errant pass to seal the victory.
“[North Attleboro’s] punt was a scary play,’’ said Franklin coach Brad Sidwell. “[Mastropoll’s] other punts had been short so we wanted to get up to field them and the kick went over our heads.’’
Franklin sprinted out to an early 6-0 lead. On the game’s first drive, the Panthers methodically marched down the field on the legs of Carini. A 21-yard scamper by the running back moved the ball inside the North Attleboro 10-yard line. Two plays later, Nick Colson found Zack Price for a 6-yard scoring strike on a picture-perfect play action pass.
Franklin increased its lead to 14-0 late in the half. After stopping North Attleboro on fourth down inside the red zone, Franklin seemed content to run out the clock. However, a 27-yard dash by Colson on a well-executed spread option play moved the ball near midfield. On the next play, Colson lofted a pass to Brian Garvey who hauled it in for a 31-yard gain after bobbling it. Colson then hit Joe Gilmore on a post route for a 22-yard touchdown with 1.9 seconds remaining. The drive covered 81 yards on four plays in just 57 seconds. Colson’s 2-point rush pushed the lead to 14-0.
“That one [touchdown] at the end of the half was a killer for us,’’ said North Attleboro coach Don Johnson.
“All we were doing was trying to move the ball up and take our shots,’’ said Sidwell.
While the Panthers sprinted out of the gates, they faded down the stretch.
North Attleboro held Franklin to 57 yards of offense in the second half and allowed three first downs.
“We need to make sure that we keep [up our intensity] through the whole game,’’ said Carini.
The Red Rocketeers caught a break in the third quarter. On a Franklin punt attempt, the snap sailed over Santangelo’s head. He fell on the loose ball giving North Attleboro possession at the Franklin 24-yard line. The Red Rocketeers then converted twice on fourth downs.
