By Perry Swack
James “Shadetree” Matthews Stadium – September 25, 2020 – 7:00pm
Last Week
Allen County-Scottsville defeated Warren Central 40-0
Franklin-Simpson lost at Russellville 14-12
2019 Meetings
The Patriots and Wildcats met twice in 2019: Franklin won in the regular season by a score of 31-21, before dismantling ACS 56-20 in the second round of the Class 4A Playoffs. Franklin won both meetings behind a heavy dose of the ground game. In the regular season victory, the Wildcats rushed for 279 yards (four players rushed for at least 50 yards), while in the postseason the team racked up 472 yards. Leandre Stutzman ran for 195 yards on only 11 carries, while Malik Carter rushed 20 times for 124 yards and three touchdowns. Coach Doug Preston’s team scored eight times on the ground and gave the Patriots all they could handle.
Last 5 Games in this Series
2019 – Allen County-Scottsville 20 @ Franklin-Simpson 56 (4A Playoffs)
2019 – Franklin-Simpson 31 @ Allen County-Scottsville 21
2018 – Allen County-Scottsville 14 @ Franklin-Simpson 54
2017 – Franklin-Simpson 30 @ Allen County-Scottsville 7
2016 – Allen County-Scottsville 0 @ Franklin-Simpson 40 (4A Playoffs)
Preview
Franklin-Simpson has won six-consecutive games in this series and will look to defend its turf on Friday night as it opens up district play. In the 2019 regular season, the two teams played its closest matchup in the series (31-21) since 2015 when the Patriots last knocked off the Wildcats, 21-20. 2020 may be the year that Coach Brad Hood and company flip the script. Allen County is coming off of a 40-0 rout over Warren Central and lost narrowly to Class 3A’s seventh-ranked team, Glasgow in Week 1. Senior Trace McIntyre has been the team’s instigator on offense. The play-caller has thrown for nearly 250 yards in two games with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. He has also rushed for 147 yards and four scores. Running back Landon Witcher has tallied 119 yards on 22 carries, while wide receiver Jax Cooper has caught eight balls for 147 yards through the season’s opening two weeks.
Franklin-Simpson struggled in its season opener as junior Luke Richardson completed only 5-of-13 passes for 94 yards and two interceptions. Malik Carter led the team on the ground with 64 yards on 15 rushes. Freshman linebacker Hayden Satterly was a bright spot on the defensive side of the ball, totaling nine tackles (seven solo) and two for losses. The Wildcats ability to move the ball on the Patriot defense will be a major factor in its chances to win Friday night.
Prediction
Allen County-Scottsville 24, Franklin-Simpson 20
The Patriots will end its six-game losing streak against the Wildcats in Franklin on Friday night. The three-headed monster of McIntyre, Witcher, and Cooper will be the difference. I expect Carter and Harrison to have big games on the ground and give Franklin a chance to win its first game of the season. However, with the game in the balance late in the fourth quarter, Trace McIntyre will make a big-time play to eke out the win. It may be a third down run to get the team into the red zone or a long pass to Cooper, but I expect the Patriots to find a way to win and move to 1-0 in district play.
Next Week
Allen County-Scottsville hosts Danville on October 2 at 7:00pm
Franklin-Simpson hosts district foe, Russell County, on October 2 at 7:00pm
