Franklin's Venable, Thomas to be Honored at Consensus All-State Banquet

After a breakthrough year for Franklin team-wise in football—the Indians coming within a game of capturing the 3A State Title—the individual accolades for the schools top players keep rolling in.

Senior Mark Venable and junior Ian Thomas will be honored at the Maryland All-State and Hall of Fame banquet February 27. 

Venable (at linebacker) and Thomas (at wide receiver) are two of the 30 players selected state wide as consensus all-state performers—an award given to the best players in Maryland, regardless of what class division they play under. 

The 5’10, 200-pound Venable led Franklin with 165 total tackles and two interceptions from his linebacker spot, while rushing for 1,136 yards and 11 touchdowns as a tailback.

Thomas, at 6’1 and 190 pounds caught 50 balls for 953 yards (over 19 yards per reception) and tallied 15 receiving touchdowns. He also ran for one touchdown and accounted for three more scores as a punt returner.

Seniors Joey Dorsey (quarterback) and Navassa Brown (all-purpose) garnered honorable mention honors in the 3A/4A class.

The  All-State teams are selected through a vote by media members and compiled by Sheldon Shealer of ESPN RISE.