Gary Morris leads Panthers to win over Smoky Mountain (continued)

Smoky Mountain's Justin Roper tries to elude a Franklin defender in Friday's 20-12 loss. This was a familiar site as Roper was sacked seven times. He often had to deal with defenders in the backfield before he had any time to set up in the pocket.

The Panthers displayed a balanced attack with 161 yards on the ground and 142 through the air for a total of 303 yards.

The Mustangs opened the game with an impressive drive, including converting a fourth-and-one, as they moved from their 37 to the Franklin 28. A holding penalty pushed them back, and Noah Hubbs sacked Roper on fourth down giving the Panthers the ball at their 36.

After an exchange of punts, Morris broke off a 53-yard run to the three setting up the game's first score. He appeared to be stopped near the line of scrimmage but somehow eluded the grasp of Rion Gray. Two plays later, Williams scored from the two. A two-point conversion failed leaving Franklin on top 6-0 with 1:25 to go in the first quarter.

Both teams punted on their next two possessions, and it was the last exchange that turned field position in the Mustangs' favor. SM's Joseph Ensley boomed a 60-yarder to the five, but Franklin's David Prophet shanked a 15-yarder to the 20.

After a loss on a reverse and a penalty, the Mustangs faced third-and-19 from the 29. Roper and Bryson then hooked up on a scoring pass for a 6-6 tie with 2:39 to play in the half. They faked a kick but missed on a two-point try.

The Mustangs took a huge gamble on the ensuing possession when they faked a punt from their 26 and were stopped for a gain of just a yard. They dodged a bullet when the clock ran out on Franklin at the nine.

The Panthers marched 80 yards in 13 plays following the second half kickoff. Highlights included a 13-yard run by Williams, and Bradley passes of 17 yards to Williams and 27 yards on a screen to Morris. A personal foul penalty after the screen forced Franklin into a first-and-goal at the 23. On fourth-and-goal from the 21, they scored a back-breaking TD on a pass from Bradley to Younce. The two-point conversion failed leaving Franklin in front 20-6 with 6:59 to go in the third stanza.

Neither team threatened again until Dillard's 18-yard run moved the ball to the Panther 23 in the fourth quarter. On third down from the 19, Younce picked off Roper's pass in the end zone.

Franklin used a fake punt on fourth-and-six from the SM 48 but was stopped for a two-yard gain.

Hawk entered the game at quarterback and quickly brought the offense to life. He hit Michael Ritchie for 29 yards before finding Bryson on a 25-yard scoring strike at the 1:03 mark. The Mustangs went for two, but the pass failed leaving the score 20-12.

Franklin recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock.

10

36-59

8-16-1

112

5-37.8

1-0

6-52

First Downs

Rushes-Yds.

Passing

Passing Yds.

Punts-Avg.

Fumbles-Lost

Penalties-Yds.

12

34-161

6-14-0

142

5-27.0

0-0

3-45

Back to Sports: 10/12/00.