FRANKLIN–Defensive lineman Emmanuel Ricks made two crucial sacks on Charles City quarterback Avery Jones in the fourth quarter during Franklin’s 48-32 Tri-Rivers District homecoming win on Friday.

The Broncos are 2-0 in the district and 5-2 overall.

The Panthers had been hanging neck in neck with the Broncos in what Franklin Coach Darren Parker called another dog fight.

“Everybody brings their A game against us,” Parker said.

With 11:44 remaining in the game and the score 32-40 in favor of Franklin, the Panthers started a drive on their 39-yard line after the Broncos had turned the ball over on downs.

The Panthers matched the Broncos in scoring and on many of their offensive drives, giving Franklin a mixture of passes, runs and quarterback keepers.

But on two plays during this make-or-break drive, Ricks stopped Jones on a fourth-down play for a 10-yard loss. Taking over on downs, the Broncos started a drive on their 28-yard line with 9:08 remaining.

The Broncos scored on a four-yard run by Latrell Lane. Lane added the two-point conversion for the final score.

The Broncos took the opening kick-off and marched down the field on a 26-yard touchdown run by Marcus Stephens. The two-point conversion failed.

The Panthers’ first touchdown came on a seven-yard pass from Jones to Dominique Williams. The two-point conversion failed.

Travis Brown scored on 29-yard run for Franklin and added the two-point conversion, giving the Broncos a 14-6 edge.

The Broncos scored again in the first quarter on a three-yard quarterback keeper by Delvontae Boone. The two-point conversion failed.

The Panthers scored on a Jones-to-Terrance Banks 9-yard pass in the second quarter. The two-point conversion failed and the Panthers trailed the Broncos 20-12.

The Panthers did an onside kick and recovered the ball on the Bronco 47-yard line. Jones connected with Jovan Howard for a 23-yard touchdown pass; the two-point conversion failed.

The Broncos scored on a 1-yard run by Stephens; the kick failed. Franklin was up 26-18.

With only seconds left on the clock, Jones crossed the goal and added the two-point conversion, tying up the game 26-26.

The third quarter opened with the Panthers scoring on their first possession on another run by Jones for 10 yards. The two-point conversion failed.

On the Panther kick-off, Travis Brown scored on an 85-yard run. The two-point conversion failed, tying up the game 32-32.

A fumble by the Panthers resulted in the next Bronco touchdown by Brown on a 2-yard run. Brown added the two points and the Broncos were up 32-40.

Brown rushed for 230 yards. Franklin’s total yards rushing were 382.

Javontae Blacknall and Ricks had five tackles for the Broncos.