The Franklin Broncos showed shades of the 2004 and 2008 state football championship teams when they defeated Altavista 41-11 on Nov. 23 to become the Eastern section champions and remain undefeated.

The accomplishment is worth a big congratulations!

The Broncos have been playing football since July 30; that’s 17 weeks,13 winning games, one scrimmage, one bye week and hours of practice. That’s a long season.

And with the restructuring of the playoffs this year, Franklin has to win an extra game to make it to the state championships. We believe that they can.

Franklin outscored its opponents 661-162 — that is mind blowing. No one else still standing in Division 1 is even near that ratio.

At 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, when the Broncos take the field for the semifinal round of the Virginia High School League Division 1 state playoffs, they will play before the home crowd.

So head out to the game, make some noise and support the Broncos as they represent Western Tidewater in the battle of East versus West.

Best of luck to the Broncos!