By Ken Severson
For the Daily Journal
FORTVILLE
Thirty-three years is a long time between meetings, and next season notwithstanding, Franklin is probably happy it doesn’t have to face Mt. Vernon again.
The Marauders struck early and often, making amends for an opening-week loss and beating the Grizzly Cubs 43-25 in a game that was delayed by lightning for 30 minutes on what was otherwise a hot August night.
Especially for Mt.t Vernon.
Last week, the Marauders’ defense couldn’t stop Noblesville — most notably Miller sophomore Logan Shoffner, who tallied four touchdowns and 354 rushing yards in a 57-36 shellacking. As a result, Mt. Vernon tumbled down the rankings to No. 8, though it seems likely to move back up a notch or two after their play Friday night.
Franklin had every reason to be optimistic about this game after playing well in a loss to 3A No. 1 Danville, but any good feelings evaporated when the Marauders scored two first-quarter touchdowns within 1:36. Senior quarterback Gehrig Slunaker scored on a 9-yard scramble and then passed for a two-point conversion, and Keagan LaBelle then roared to a 50-yard touchdown run. After another two-pointer, the Marauders were up 16-0.
Avery Williams’ interception of Clay Pinnick’s pass set up the third Marauder score. This time, Slunaker used his right arm and hit Eli Bridenthal for a 26-yard touchdown pass.
Mt. Vernon scored again before the Grizzly Cubs finally got on the board with a 17-yard run by John Shepard.
Then the lightning struck, delaying the game for nearly two hours, but that didn’t slow the Marauders, as they put two more touchdowns on the board prior to halftime.
With a running clock for the second half, Mt. Vernon decided to take out its starters.
Franklin did put up three more touchdowns on two 2-yard keepers by Pinnick and a 59-yard scamper by Shepard.
Offensively, LaBelle led all rushers with 130 yards. Slunaker threw for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
For its part, the Grizzly Cubs could only muster 182 total yards, with 108 of those on the ground by Shepard.
Franklin continues on the road for one more week, opening up Mid-State Conference play at Perry Meridian.
