The Orangefield Bobcats came into Thursday’s Bi-District playoff game with Franklin looking to continue to play their best football of the season after finishing second in their district. The Lions had other plans.
Franklin took the opening drive after a short kick by the Bobcats, and scored three plays later to take a 6-0 lead.
OF faltered on their first two drives. The Lions were moving the ball but fumbled at the 50 yd. line and Chase Broussard picked it up and brought it to the five yard line where Heston Puckett took it into the end zone. OF also missed their PAT and the score was tied at six.
Franklin responded on their next drive with a five play drive and an 18 yd. TD run by Seth Spiller to take a 13-6 lead. OF had a 15 play drive before the half but were not able to turn it into points.
After a great return by Clayson Choate to set up the Bobcats at the 49, they began to mount an impressive drive. On a 4th and 2 Hunter Ashworth scampered 23 yards to set up a first and goal at the nine. But OF failed on four tries and turned it over on downs.
Franklin took advantage again and put together a 96 yd. drive to make it 20-6. They would add a 32 yd. FG on their next possession to go up 23-6.
With 4:55 left the Bobcats would drive 55 yds. in 15 plays. Broussard scored from three yards and QB Gunner Jones added a two point conversion to make it interesting at 23-14 but the clock and the season ran out on the Bobcats.
In our postgame interview with Coach Smalley, he said, “I hate that we picked this game to have a bad game. We knew we had to play well to win. Take your hat off to them (Franklin). We knew they had a good defense and they showed it.”
The Lions, who rolled up 336 yds, will play the winner between Whitney and Lago Vista. The Bobcats finish 9-2.
“I’m proud of our 17 seniors and the way they prepared and played after missing the playoffs last season,” said Smalley. “This one is going to hurt for a little while, but we’ll start off season soon and keep trying to get better.”
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