Franklin receiver looks forward to helping South all-stars

<p>Former Franklin football player Cory Richards, who last season returned to the sport for the first time in five years, looks forward to being the program’s first Indiana all-star in 23 years.</p><p>The 6-foot-3, 190-pound receiver is the first Grizzly Cub to take part in the annual IFCA North/South game since defensive lineman Mike Craciunoiu in 1996.</p><p>“It’s pretty impressive,” Franklin coach Chris Coll said. “Cory is just a really good athlete both from a physical standpoint and a mental standpoint. He’s competed at a high level in basketball for a long time. When kids are exposed to a high level of competition, you throw another sport in there and they already have an advantage.”</p><p>Richards added 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason through weight training and an improved diet. All-Star players and coaches report to the University of Indianapolis on July 9 to begin practices and meetings.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]<p>&quot;It’s a great honor, especially in my short time playing football,&quot; said Richards, who caught 56 passes for 821 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior and will play for the South all-stars. &quot;I’m really excited about meeting new people.</p><p>&quot;This is a new experience for me because I’ve never been to a football camp or all-star game.”</p><p>Richards had good reason. Before last August, every moment of his focus athletically was directed toward improving as a basketball player.</p><p>Richards combined a smooth perimeter shot with an ability to drive to the basket on the hardwood to become a three-year starter for coach Brad Dickey’s program. Richards finished his career with 1,017 points.</p><p>&quot;It was crazy. Growing up, basketball was always my best sport, and here I am now as a football player,” Richards said. “I didn’t expect to have the (football) statistics I had last season.&quot;</p><p>Richards said a couple of NAIA men’s basketball programs were pursuing him. However, in February, Ball State football coach Mike Neu gave Richards the opportunity of being a preferred walk-on. The receiver committed a few days after his campus visit and reports to the Cardinals training camp on Aug. 1.</p><p>He plans to move in a week or so early in order to familiarize himself with the campus. Richards will room with former Franklin teammate Clayton Coll, a 6-3, 225-pound freshman recruited to play inside linebacker for the Cardinals.</p><p>Chris Coll, the Franklin coach, knew of Richards’ athleticism ahead of time having watched him play basketball, but said being a good receiver is about more than running fast, jumping high and having reliable hands.</p><p>“The thing that was different about Cory is that he became a good route runner very quickly,” Coll said. “That usually takes time and a lot of work.”</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="If you go" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p><strong>This is the first in a series of all-star football features that will also include Center Grove defensive lineman Brian Gaffney and Whiteland cornerback Trevor Larence.</strong></p><p>What: IFCA North-South All-Star Football Classic</p><p>When: July 12, 7:15 p.m.</p><p>Where: North Central High School</p><p>Admission: Adults $10, students $5</p><p>Series: South leads, 27-25</p><p>Last year: North 27, South 24</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]