Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Centennial High School
Centennial High School

Rebels Dominate Hendersonville for Homecoming Win

Posted: Sep 24, 2018

Franklin welcomed a hot Hendersonville squad to FHS on Friday and left with a big homecoming win. A week after a disappointing 24-7 loss in Week 5 to Independence started a crucial three-game homestand for the Rebels, they had a fine-tuned game plan and handled the Commandos 24-7 Friday night. The usually high-powered Hendersonville (4-2) offense, which averaged almost 41 points per game during a four-game win streak, struggled all game against the Franklin defense. The Rebels (3-3) held the Commandos to just 105 total yards of offense (100 rushing) and one score, and they finished with two sacks and a fumble recovery.

Franklin opened a 14-0 lead at halftime behind first-quarter scores through the air and on the ground. Quarterback Joshua Nichols hit Reed Kemp to get the scoreboard rolling late in the first quarter, and with 3:34 left in the half, Matt Gaca pounded in a 9-yarder on the ground. It would prove to be the game winner. Hendersonville pulled within a score in the third quarter, but the Rebels wore the Commandos down and pulled away in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 points to seal the victory. A 24-yard Ian Bur field goal was followed by Nichols' second touchdown pass of the night, this time a 62-yard strike to Brock Holthous.

In the end, Franklin outgained Hendersonville 349-105. The Rebels also won the time of possession battle by almost 11 minutes. Nichols led the way offensively, throwing for 203 yards and two TDs on 8-of-13 passing. Gaca rushed 29 times for 135 yards and a score, while Holthous had two catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. Chancellor Bright only caught one ball but took it for 62 yards, and Kemp had 32 yards on four receptions. Defensively, Chapman Beaird had 5.5 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss for the Rebels. D.J. Durham and Christian Moolman had five tackles and a tackle for loss apiece. The homecoming victory sets Franklin up with momentum going into a crucial Week 7 matchup at home with crosstown rival and Region 6-6A foe Centennial. The Rebels haven't won a region game yet this season (0-3). The Cougars (3-3, 2-1) are tied for second in Region 6-6A with Ravenwood, and they beat Riverdale on Friday 37-34 for their second win in a row and third in four games.

Source:  Williamson Herald