Franklin doubles up Charles City in 64-32 romp

Charles City quarterback Troy Crawley scrambles away from Franklin's Quayshaun Jefferson (2) and Arron Sumblin (21) as he orchestrates the game's opening drive.

Andre' Jones photo

Charles City’s Sept. 19 matchup seemed odd for the hosts Panthers. Entering the contest against the visiting Franklin Broncos, Charles City had a better record than the guests and had given the Sussex Central Tigers a battle the week before. While the Panthers looked to defeat the Broncos, it was Franklin that got back on track.

Powered by three first quarter touchdowns within a one-minute span, the visiting Broncos rushed over the Panthers en route to doubling up the scoreboard 64-32 in the non-district contest.

Charles City took advantage early in the battle with the reeling Broncos. Quarterback Troy Crawley led the Panthers by both air and ground, creating havoc in the visitors’ defense. The confusion paid dividends for the hosts, as senior running back Jaquane Wyatt punched in a touchdown from one-yard out on the opening drive and added a two-point conversion reception to give the hosts an 8-0 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, a surprise onside kick resulted in the Panthers’ recovery. However, momentum did a complete turnaround on the next play, as a bad snap gave possession back to the Broncos.

The Broncos went to work out of their traditional power I formation. Propelled by running back Javonte Baker, Franklin reached the 12-yard line before Tyree Jones punched in the touchdown and subsequent conversion to knot the game at 8 apiece. After a Panther three-and-out, Franklin would get another score from quarterback Corey Porter and double the advantage to 16-8.

The snowball of miscues continued for the Panthers. With 1:28 left in the opening quarter, another bad snap led to Quayshaun Jefferson scooping up the ball and racing 39 yards on the fumble return to give the guests a 24-8 lead. Charles City rebounded immediately as Mason Jefferson returned the ensuing kickoff 74 yards for a score, but the Broncos counterpunched on the first play of their next drive with Baker’s 55 yard dash to the end zone to close out the quarter 32-16. Franklin would add one score in the second quarter with another Baker run to take a 40-16 lead into the half.

Charles City’s defense continued to struggle, as Jones and Lynn Lawson each punched in a touchdown to up Franklin’s lead to 52-16 with 8:26 left in the third. Wyatt was able to find the end zone again on an eight-yard scamper, but another Lawson run pushed the lead to 34 for the guests (58-24). Each team added one touchdown in the final frame, closing the high scoring affair in favor of the visitors.

After the game, Charles City head coach Steward Greene said momentum in the game was wrestled away after the miscue on the exchange following the Panthers’ recovery of the onside kick.

“That was definitely the turning point of the game,” Greene said. “We had them on the ropes and were executing, but it just fell apart after that.

“We also have to clean up our center-quarterback exchange and cut down on unnecessary penalties,” he continued. “We have a lack of discipline on the field and if we want to win, our guys have to get that under control.”

Despite the loss, Greene praised his improving 1-3 squad and the steps the team has taken over the last few weeks.

“Normally, we wouldn’t put any points on the board against this team,” Greene said. “We have had drastic improvement over the past few weeks and we should be contenders in our district.”

The Panthers head into a bye week before facing Colonial Beach on Oct. 3.

Franklin—– 32 8 18 6—————- 64
Charles City—- 16 0 8 8—————-32

1st Quarter
CC (7:03)- Wyatt 1 yard run (Wyatt pass from Crawley) 8-0
F (5:29)- Jones 12 yard run (Jones run) 8-8
F (1:40)- Porter 1 yard run (Jones run) 16-8
F (1:28)- Q. Jefferson 39 yard fumble return (Jones run) 24-8
CC (1:15)- M. Jefferson 74 yard kickoff return (Tyler run) 24-16
F (1:00)- Baker 55 yard run (Jones run) 32-16
2nd Quarter
F (3:21)- Baker 3 yard run (Jones run) 40-16
3rd Quarter
F (9:58)- Jones 35 yard run (run fail) 46-16
F (8:26)- Lawson 6 yard run (run fail) 52-16
CC (4:16)- Wyatt 8 yard run (Crawley run) 52-24
F (1:43)- Lawson 8 yard run (run fail) 58-24
4th Quarter
F (9:37)- Sumblin 14 yard run (run fail) 64-24
CC (7:14)- Crawley 6 yard run (Vaden run) 64-32

Rushing (attempts/yards)
F- Baker 15/198, Jefferson 9/80, Jones 6/61, Lawson 6/45, Sumblin 6/36, Porter 7/23, Wilkerson 5/21
CC- Wyatt 16/56, Crawley 14/47, Tyler 5/26, Vaden 1/0

Passing (completions/attempts/yards)
F- Porter 1/2/13, 1 int.
CC- Crawley 11/19/99

Receiving (receptions/yards)
F- Jefferson 1/13
CC- Jones 5/39, Wyatt 2/36, Hicks 1/15, Tyler 1/13, Jefferson 2/-4