Franklin Plays at Poly Without Starting QB Tonight

After squeaking by Northview High School, 16-13, in their season
opener last week, the football team is looking to pick up its second win of the young season on Friday.

The Panthers were scheduled to play at home, but will instead travel to Francis Polytechnic Senior High due to the installation of a
new sprinkler system on their field. The field was also re-sod, which means the team will have to stay off its home turf for three weeks.

“Like every other week, we just practice our offense and our defense and just try to make sure that we are sound on both sides and
just try to perform and execute,” FHS head coach Eric Jaimes said about prepping for Friday night’s match.

Payback

FHS suffered a 41-14 loss at Poly last season, but Jaimes
expects a much closer game this season. Jaimes said his team is motivated to make sure the score isn’t lopsided once again.

Although James noted the Panthers haven’t zeroed in on any particular Poly players to try and contain because they didn’t have film on the team.

“I know they had two running backs that were really good last year and some defensive lineman that are good, big strong kids,” he said.

Friday’s contest will be the season opener for Poly, who head into the game with a new coaching staff, according to Jaimes.

One Less

Starting quarterback Edwin Camas went down during the first
half of last week’s competition and will not suit up against Poly. Backup quarterback Joshua Taylor will get the nod as his replacement.

Taylor will be playing at approximately 70 percent health due to a contusion on his left thigh. Jaimes said the most challenging aspect of this week’s game will be Taylor’s ability to gel with the offense.

“We’ve got to make sure that he makes the right reads when
he throws the ball,” Jaimes said.

Should anything happen to Taylor, Franklin will be down to
its last quarterback option in Eduardo Mejia, who is listed as a wide receiver on the FHS roster.

Playmakers

According to Jaimes, Taylor has the potential to have a breakout game if he can develop a rhythm and get the offense going. Other players to keep an eye on offense are Isaiah Turner at wide receiver and running back Antonio Macias.

Jaimes said, “And if our entire defensive line has a good game, we have a really good chance of winning that ball game.”