After exchanging scores, Franklin rolls by Charles City

Charles City defensive end Juwuan Bowman (6) is the first line defense as he puts a halt to Franklin tailback Wayne Tennessee's forward progress.

Andre Jones photo

Battling numerous injuries and looking for more team continuity, Charles City Panthers challenged the Franklin Broncos in Friday night’s contest of former district rivals. But after exchanging scores on the opening series, it would be the host Broncos who would dominate the contest.

Led by its traditional “Power I” formation, 10 Franklin Broncos touched the ball in the backfield, amassing more than 400 yards rushing en route to a 48-14 victory over the visiting Panthers.

The hosts wasted little time on the ground to get the game started, orchestrating a 14-play drive that covered 86 yards and put the Broncos up 6-0.

But Charles City battled back with its first big play of the night. Panther quarterback Mason Jefferson, filling in for Troy Crawley who sat out with injury, took a direct snap from shotgun and faked it to running back Cecil Tyler. With the Franklin defense parted, Jefferson darted up the middle of the field untouched for 72 yards to knot the game at six apiece.

But that big play by the Panthers would be the last on the night. Using the pound and ground tactic, Franklin’s Quayshaun Jefferson toted the ball in from 13 yards out for the Broncos’ second touchdown of the night. Just before the conclusion of the frame, quarterback Darrien Duck called his own numbers and pushed his way through the pile from three yards out to give the hosts a comfortable 22-6 lead heading into quarter number two.

That comfortable lead would get even cozier on the next play. A backwards pass by Panthers quarterback Jefferson was caught by Craig Jones. But Jones was uplifted and driven to the ground, causing a fumble that would be recovered by Bronco cornerback Natron Lee who would take it in from 39 yards out to stretch the hosts’ margin to 24 (30-6). Franklin’s next offensive possession saw Quayshaun Jefferson scamper 80 yards on the first touch for a score to stretch the gap to 30. Two more scores on the ground courtesy of carries from Duck and Markeen Tyler would give Franklin a humongous 48-6 lead heading into halftime.

A running clock ensued after intermission, with the Panthers adding a late score with a Mason Jefferson to Brian Hicks five yard pass with under a minute remaining in the game to get the scoreboard to display a 48-14 victory for the hosts.

After the game, head coach Steward Greene spoke about an improved attitude and effort from the team.

“I think tonight we begin to see what we could do when we have a positive and productive attitude,” Greene said. “Unfortunately, we were not fundamentally sound and that hurt our execution.”

Charles City heads into a bye week, something that is much needed for the Panthers to recover from injuries. Starting quarterback Crawley and senior lineman Michael Callahan were withheld from the contest to recover from injury.

“You can tell we missed them, but we had to make due with what we had,” the head coach continued. “We are going to recover and use this bye week to help with that as well as prepare for Colonial Beach.”

Charles City returns to action on Oct. 2 when they travel to Colonial Beach, another team that is winless on the year.

“They have played both Franklin and Sussex and played them as well as we had, so we think that game can turnaround our season,” concluded Greene.

1st Quarter
F (7:20)- Baker 16 yard run (run fail) 6-0
CC (6:04)- M. Jefferson 72 yard run (kick fail) 6-6
F (3:52)- Q. Jefferson 13 yard run (Everett run) 14-6
F (0:01)- Duck 3 yard run (Everett run) 22-6
2nd Quarter
F (11:53)- Lee 39 yard fumble return (Sykes run) 30-6
F (8:34)- Q. Jefferson 80 yard run (run fail) 36-6
F (4:12)- Duck 4 yard run (run fail) 42-6
F (0:17)- M. Tyler 7 yard run (run fail) 48-6
4th Quarter
CC (0:38)- Hicks 5 yard pass from M. Jefferson (M. Jefferson run) 48-14

Passing (completions/attempts/yards)
CC- M. Jefferson 3/7/48, 1 TD.
F- Duck 0/1/0.

Receiving (receptions/yards)
CC- Hicks 2/38, 1 TD; C. Jones 1/10.

Rushing (attempts/yards)
CC- M. Jefferson 14/87, 1 TD; C. Tyler 10/5, C. Jones 2/-4, K. Jones 3/-10.
F- Q. Jefferson 10/147, 2 TD; M. Tyler 16/137, 1 TD; Baker 10/84, 1 TD; Duck 5/35, 2 TD; Sykes 2/12, Lawson 1/9, Everett 2/6, Tennessee 3/3, Lee 2/1, Handshaw 2/-10.