Franklin, 7-1, in line for playoffs

Published 8:06 am Friday, November 5, 2010

FRANKLIN—In Darren Parker’s mind, Franklin High School’s football season is far from over. The Broncos have two more regular games and four playoff games as they go for the state title.

“Everything is still in our hands,” Parker said about the Broncos, who are 7-1 overall and 1-1 in the Tri-Rivers District. “We just have to play and execute week after week. We’re looking forward to six more weeks of football.”

The Broncos, who will take on Sussex Central at 7 p.m. today at home, are ranked third among four teams from the Regiona A, Group A that will qualify for the playoffs, which begin Nov. 19.

Sussex Central, which is 6-2 overall and 2-0 in the district, is ranked number one followed by Charles City. Colonial Beach is ranked fourth.

Sussex Central last week defeated Charles City 42-0. One week earlier Charles City defeated Franklin 44-41 in a come-from-behind effort that had the Broncos leading 21-0.

Parker expects a good game against Sussex Central.

“Every year, it’s a battle between the two of us,” he said. “They are very well coached and a well disciplined team.”

The Broncos have had two weeks to practice for this Friday’s game and all players are healthy.

“By us having a bye week, we had a chance for a lot of our kids to heal up,” Parker said. “We’ve had great practices, and our kids are looking good. It was a week to sit back and get refocused.”

He doesn’t expect the loss against Charles City to affect the boys.

“We’ve been in this situation before,” Parker said. “Our job as coaches is to turn the loss into a positive.”

Franklin will host Windsor for its final game of the season at 7 p.m. Friday. Nov. 12.