Franklin had it.
The Grizzly Cubs, after giving away a two-score halftime lead and all the momentum against Martinsville, bounced back late in the fourth quarter to take a 26-21 lead with 51.2 seconds remaining.
All they had to do was stop Martinsville one more time, and they’d leave with a homecoming night victory.
But some things are easier said than done.
Martinsville (4-1) put together an efficient drive, going from its own 31-yard line to the opposing 1 in about 30 seconds. And with 9.1 seconds to play, senior quarterback Tyler Adkins hit junior running back Brayden Shrake in the flat, and he got across the goal line for the go-ahead touchdown, sending the Artesians home as 26-21 winners.
Franklin (3-2, 1-2 Mid-State) drew first blood, with an 11-yard touchdown run by senior Beau Baker with 9:54 to play in the first quarter. He scored a second touchdown late in the second quarter, on a 62-yard scamper out of a wildcat formation direct snap. Baker finished the game with 109 yards on 10 carries.
After Baker’s second touchdown, Franklin freshman Blake Smythe intercepted Adkins on Martinsville’s first play of the drive. The return put Franklin on the Artesians’ 21 yard line with 1:40 until halftime, and senior John Shepard scored a touchdown on the very next play. Shepard tallied 61 yards on 12 carries on the night.
The Grizzly Cubs did much of their work on the ground Friday. Of their 302 yards of total offense, just 40 came on passing plays — with 35 of those yards on a desperation heave on the game’s final play.
Junior Kaleb Owens didn’t score a rushing touchdown, but he had perhaps the play of the game for the Grizzly Cubs. With about 1:50 to play in the fourth quarter, Franklin faced second and 8 from the Martinsville 36. Owens took a handoff and was nearly tackled in the backfield, which would’ve been a big blow for the Grizzly Cubs. But he shook off the defender and broke off a 33-yard run, stopped from behind just three yards shy of the end zone. Junior wide receiver Luke Bechert scored the go-ahead touchdown on a jet sweep the next play.
But ultimately, Martinsville’s offense proved too difficult to stop in big moments. That was the case for much of the game, just in different ways. Adkins torched the Grizzly Cubs in the air, finishing 20 for 37 for 269 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Garrett Skaggs caused a barrage of problems for Franklin, with 13 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown.
But the Artesians went heavier on their running game in the second half, and Franklin had trouble containing that as well. Shrake racked up 113 yards on 28 carries on the night, but 83 of those yards came in the second half.
Franklin hits the road to play unbeaten Mooresville next week.
