Franklin 22, Manchester 6
Oct 02, 1999
FRANKLIN, Ind. — Franklin's defense surrendered 800 total yards last week to Alma, but rebounded to limit Manchester to 268 yards to help the Grizzlies win 22-6 at Stewart "Red" Faught Stadium, which was dedicated before Saturday's Homecoming game.Oct 02, 1999
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Manchester
Franklin (3-1, 1-0) jumped out to a 7-0 lead after senior quarterback Travis McMahen hooked up with senior split end Jim Larkin for a two-yard touchdown pass on the game's opening possession. Franklin's defense then took command. Of Manchester's five first-half possessions, three ended in punts, another in a failed fourth-down conversion, and the final drive ended with a "Hail Mary" fling at halftime.
The Spartans (2-2, 0-1) had a golden opportunity to pull even midway through the third quarter when senior Chad Campbell intercepted McMahen and ran 66 yards to the Franklin 12-yard line. But the defense did not allow a yard in three plays, then sophomore Bryan Bell blocked a field goal attempt by freshman Chris Bland.
The Grizzlies sacked Manchester quarterback Bret Greiner, who was ninth in the nation in total offense at 309 yards per game coming in, five times. Senior defensive lineman John Batty sacked Greiner twice. Greiner was also intercepted twice -– both in the third quarter -- by senior defensive back Ryan Hendrickson and by junior defensive back Chris Johnson.
Franklin's senior running back John Hinton rushed for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to seal the game. He gained 87 yards on 19 carries, and he caught five passes for 67 yards. McMahen completed 28 of 48 passes for 334 yards and one touchdown. Larkin led Franklin's receivers with eight catches for 62 yards.