Following Third Straight Win, Franklin Set for Key Matchup at Parkville

After starting the season 2-2, Franklin football appears to be getting hot at just the right time.

Since splitting their opening four contests, the Indians have reeled off three straight victories over Towson, Milford Mill and Kenwood by a combined 135-50 to improve to 5-2 and sit in third place in Class 3A North.  

In Franklin’s most recent win Saturday against Kenwood (60-20), the Indians put on a showcase of offensive potential.

Starting with the pass game, quarterback Jackson Thornton had his most effective, and most efficient, game of the season, completing six of nine passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those air strikes were hauled in by senior Marquis Ellis (from 13 and 62 yards) and Ian Thomas added a score from nine yards out as well. (Thomas also chipped in with an 82-yard kick return that followed Kenwood’s only score of the second half.)

On the ground, the Indians were led by fullback Shaquille Melvin, who needed all of three carries to amass 81 yards and two touchdowns of 23 and 54 yards. Meanwhile, tailback Anthony Taylor found pay dirt as well, crossing the end zone twice in the second quarter on runs of one and 35 yards.

Backup running back Cedric Amadi capped off the scoring with a four-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

The Indians, who continue to play each regular season game with a playoff mindset, will look to parlay their offensive outbreak into a win this Saturday on the road against a Parkville squad that also sits at 5-2, but currently holds the sixth slot in the region.

“This is a huge game for us as far as all the playoff implications,” head coach Anthony Burgos said. “Both teams are looking to get the ‘W’ this week. I think we’re two evenly matched teams and it’s going to be a big game for both us.”

In fact, Franklin, Parkville, Patterson and Aberdeen all own identical 5-2 records, making Saturday’s contest virtually a must-win for the Indians, who will confront a balanced Knights squad equipped with several playmakers in its arsenal.

“This game’s everything,” Burgos said. “Our guys understand that and this game will decide whether they play past week ten or not.”