When Franklin-Simpson and Johnson Central meet in the Class 4A Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl Championship on Sunday afternoon at WKU’s Houchens-Smith Stadium, you can expect to see a scoreboard with a lot of points on it.
The Wildcats (14-0 overall) and Golden Eagles (13-1 overall) combined to score 372 points throughout their five playoff games and both present powerful offenses with high-motored quarterbacks.
Franklin-Simpson quarterback Jackson Caudill had completed 71 out of 130 passes for 1,468 yards and twelve touchdowns with just two interceptions on the year while Johnson Central’s offensive pilot Riley Preece has thrown for 1,254 yards and 15 touchdowns on completing 62 of 87 passes.
Along with the quarterbacks, both clubs have many more explosive players. Franklin’s running back Saul Brady and wide receiver Josiah Robey and Central’s running back Joe Jackson with 2,000 yards rushing and wide receiver Geordan Blanton are just a handful to name.
On the season, Brady has taken 151 handoffs for 1,389 yards and 20 touchdowns while averaging 99 rushing yards per outing while Robey has caught 29 passes for 564 yards and seven touchdowns. Jackson has tallied 2,049 yards on 157 attempts for 31 touchdowns and Blanton has scored ten times while adding 727 yards on 23 catches.
The Wildcats have made it to the state championship after winning games over Hopkins County Central, Allen County-Scottsville, South Warren and John Hardin. Coached by head coach Doug Preston, Franklin-Simpson is playing in its first title contest since 2011.
The Golden Eagles have advanced to the state title game after recording victories against Scott, Greenup County, Ashland Blazer and Wayne County. Led by head coach Jim Matney, Johnson Central is getting set to appear in its second-straight playoff championship.
When the two sides square off on Sunday, it’ll be the very first meeting. Kickoff is set for 3:45 p.m. (CT).
