SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: Grizzlies' Dream Season Ends

Today, the field at Franklin Community High School was transformed into a frozen tundra that became the stage for a Division III Football Quarterfinal match between Franklin College and Wheaton College. The game was played on the HS field because of its turf surface and because Faught Field at Franklin College had been badly damaged in the final regular season game, played in rainy conditions.

The conditions ended up favoring Wheaton today. Their powerful ground attack, stingy red zone defense, and solid special teams play led them to a 45-28 victory over the Grizzlies.

Both teams ended the day with 11-2 records. Wheaton will advance to the Final Four to play undefeated and #1 ranked Mt. Union, which defeated Cortland State 41-14. The Grizzlies will go home downhearted at the loss, but gratified that they had the finest season in school history, going farther into the Division III playoffs than any team in HCAC conference history.

Congratulations to Coach Mike Leonard, the seniors (especially record-setting QB Chad Rupp), and the entire team for a magnificent season that we all enjoyed watching.

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: The Amazing Grizzlies!

This week, I've been preoccupied with an ear infection, work responsibilities, and being with family and friends over Thanksgiving, so blogging has taken a back seat. Back to regular daily posts tomorrow, when I'll start sharing daily Advent thoughts...

The most exciting news to report over the past week has been the great success of the Franklin College Grizzlies in the NCAA Division III playoffs. FC is now one of only eight teams left in the tournament, after two impressive victories on each of the past two Saturdays. You can see the entire bracket at d3Football.com.


FIRST ROUND: Franklin Outlasts Otterbein
First, FC traveled to Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio on Nov. 22 to face the Cardinals. It wasn't exactly the "frozen tundra," but a wintry day nonetheless in central Ohio. Would the weather turn this into a defensive battle? The first quarter suggested it might, with both teams failing to score. Then, each team scored a couple of opportunistic TD's in the second quarter to make the tally 14-14 at the half. We headed to our cars to warm up during half time.

When the two squads took the field for the second half, this suddenly turned into an entirely different game. The QB's took over, and soon the Grizzlies and Cardinals were marching up and down the field in a third quarter that saw FC put up 27 points and OC 17, with five lead changes. In the final period Franklin pulled ahead for good, and when the dust settled, the Grizzlies had prevailed, 62-45. Chad Rupp, the leading passer in FC history and HCAC offensive player of the year, completed a remarkable 41 for 62 passes with 527 yards and 7 touchdowns, including an NCAA record five TD's caught by wide receiver Logan Deffner.


SECOND ROUND: FC Defeats North Central
Sr. QB and Gagliardi Trophy nominee Chad Rupp completed 31 of 52 passes for 411 yards, and was also Franklin's top rusher with 83 yards on 15 carries, as he led the Grizzlies to a 38-28 victory over North Central College on Saturday, Nov. 29. On the defensive side, senior linemen Levi Smythe and Dan McManus led the way in pressuring and stopping NC, combining for 15 tackles and 4 1/2 sacks. The Cardinals came out of the gate fast, sprinting out to a 14-3 lead on their home field before the Grizzlies fought back into the game, the lead, and eventually the win.

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: FC Keeps Victory Bell

UPDATE: Franklin received a #5 seed and will travel to Otterbein College (9-1) in Westerville, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 22 to play the #4 seeded Cardinals, whose only loss this season was to the #1 team in the nation, Mt. Union. Kickoff time is at noon.

Another cold, wet, windy day greeted football fans at Franklin College Saturday for the annual Victory Bell rivalry game against Hanover College. This is a special game for those of us who live in Franklin, because many of the young men who played for Franklin High School now play for Hanover as well as FC, and it is great to see everyone again.

In today's mud bowl, the outcome was never in doubt, with the Grizzlies prevailing 34-0.

I'll be updating this post on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 16, to announce Franklin's seeding and opponent in the NCAA Division III tournament next Saturday. You can watch the selection on ESPN News at 3pm, and follow all the analysis at D3Football.com

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: HCAC Champions!

The Franklin Grizzlies claimed the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference championship and gained an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III tournament with a 31-20 victory at Manchester College Saturday.

It didn't come easily. The day was all November—chill and gray with a blustery wind—and Franklin seemed ready neither for the weather nor the energy with which Manchester took the field on their Senior Day. The Spartans quickly put ten points on the board in the first quarter, while the Grizzlies' normally potent offense was stymied. Franklin finally roused and scored fourteen in the second period to take the lead into halftime, a lead they would never relinquish. The weather conditions worsened as the second half wore on, and the teams battled back and forth, with the Grizzlies outlasting the home team in the end.

Congratulations to Coach Mike Leonard and his team for their second straight conference championship! Next Saturday, Franklin hosts Hanover for the annual Victory Bell game. Then comes selection Sunday, when the Grizzlies will learn their seeding and opponent in the tournament, which begins November 22.

Go Grizzlies!

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: October 24-25

Grizzly Cubs' Season Ends
It was a disappointing end to the Franklin HS football season Friday night, as the Grizzly Cubs lost their rematch with Greenwood in the first round of the sectional tournament, 9-7. Once again the offense failed to cash in on their opportunities, while the defense held the opponent to three field goals. The effort was there, the game was close, but in the end, our kids came up short. We're awfully proud of them for keeping their heads up and working hard all season. (Photo from The Daily Journal)

Franklin Hangs On to Win
The Franklin College Grizzlies traveled to perennial rival Mt. St. Joseph on Saturday and surged to a 26-0 lead in the second quarter, and a win seemed secure. However, the Lions stormed back in the second half and FC had to hang on for a 40-35 victory. QB Chad Rupp became FC's all-time leader in touchdown passes, throwing the 79th, 80th and 81st TDs of his career.

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: October 17-18

Disappointing Finale
The Franklin HS Grizzly Cubs ended their regular season with a disappointing 14-6 loss to Martinsville. Franklin moved the ball well most of the night but couldn't seal the deal often enough. Adding to the pain was their final drive, when QB Dan Bechman threw a touchdown pass to Austin Clark, only to have it called back on a questionable holding penalty. Our son Isaac and all the seniors were recognized before the game. At least one more to go: next week's sectional matchup against Greenwood.

Another Big Day for FC
Franklin College traveled to HCAC rival Anderson University on Saturday and the number one offense in the conference showed its stuff in a 56-27 victory over the Ravens. Sr. QB Chad Rupp threw for 6 touchdowns and completed 26 of 37 passes for 398 yards. Two more TD passes, and Rupp will be the all-time record-holder for Franklin College.

The Grizzlies are now 3-0 in the conference and 5-1 overall. They travel to Mt. St. Joseph next Saturday.

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: October 10-11

FCHS SPOILS GREENWOOD HOMECOMING
On a perfect autumn Friday evening under colorful skies, the Franklin Grizzly Cubs won a close one at the homecoming of local Mid-State rival Greenwood, 23-21. The game featured five lead changes and nine turnovers. Franklin took the lead at the end of the third quarter and then survived a wild finish for the win. It was Franklin's first win since the second game of the season, and it sets up a rematch in the sectional opener on Oct. 24.

FRANKLIN COLLEGE DEMOLISHES BLUFFTON
The Grizzlies celebrated their homecoming by trouncing Bluffton, 63-3. Two sky-diving specialists descended and landed at midfield just before the start of the game, and then with the first kick Franklin took off and never looked back. Franklin was nearly perfectly balanced, with 488 total offensive yards, 246 rushing and 242 yards passing. The Grizzlies scored at least 2 touchdowns in every quarter.

Franklin travels to Anderson next week to face the Ravens, who surprised Mt. St. Joseph on Saturday, 10-9.

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: October 3-4

Plainfield 24, Franklin 13
Grizzly Cubs break scoring drought, but fail to stop Plainfield's strong running game. Franklin will look to get back on the winning track next Friday at Greenwood.

Franklin College 30, Defiance 14
Grizzlies bounce back after last week's loss at Trine. In this week's Heartland Conference opener, Franklin scored on its first two possessions and controlled the ball the rest of the way for the win. Next week FC returns home to face Bluffton for homecoming.

Dodgers 3, Cubs 1... Dodgers advance
Dismal. Embarrassing. Season over. Baseball is not a hard game. If you don't pitch, field and hit, you don't win. The Cubs didn't pitch in the first game, field in the second, or hit in any of the three. See ya next year.

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: Sept 26-27

One game left for Cubs
The Chicago Cubs finish the regular season tomorrow against the Milwaukee Brewers, whom they defeated 7-3 today, dropping the Brew-crew into a tie in the wild card race. (photo from ChicagoSports.com)

Trine upsets Franklin
The Franklin Grizzlies, who had moved up in the NCAA Div III rankings to #14 this week, were surprised by a strong Trine Thunder team, 30-27, today at Trine's homecoming. Franklin's record drops to 2-1, in anticipation of next week's conference opener at Defiance.

The usually potent Grizzly offense had several chances in the fourth quarter to drive for a score, but the Thunder defense stiffened and prevented the comeback. Then sophomore QB Eric Watt took over, and Trine ran out the clock.

Turnovers were costly for Franklin, as Trine turned four Grizzly miscues into scores.

Whiteland dominates visiting Grizzly Cubs
The Whiteland Warriors soundly defeated Mid-State rival Franklin Friday night, 48-0, at Whiteland's homecoming. Franklin was in the game in the first quarter, and had chances to make some noise early, but mistakes and aggressive Warrior play quickly turned the tables, and the rout was on. (photo from The Daily Journal)

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: Sept 19-20

UPDATE: Cubs take Central Division Title!
The Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 to clinch first place.

Cubs Must Wait for Another Day
The magic number is now at 1.

Milwaukee did their part by losing to
Cincinnati, but the Cardinals shelled Carlos Zambrano in his first start since his no-hitter, winning 12-6.




No Offense
The Franklin Grizzly Cubs football team was punchless against Decatur Central Friday night, suffering their second straight Mid-State Conference shutout, 27-0. Clayton Simmons, one of the conference's leading rushers, was held to just 26 yards, and the DC defense gave QB Daniel Bechman little time to throw the ball. Unfortunately, the schedule doesn't get any easier—next week Franklin plays 8th-ranked Whiteland.

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: Sept 12-13

Franklin H.S. blanked by Mooresville
A muddy field assisted the relentless ground attack of the Mooresville Pioneers and hindered the passing game of visiting Franklin Friday night, leading to a 29-0 victory for Mooresville. This was the Grizzly Cubs' first conference game this year. Overall, they are now 2-2, whereas Mooresville, last ranked #12 in the state 4A poll, is undefeated at 4-0. Franklin will try to get its first conference win next Friday night at home against Decatur Central.

Franklin College defeats Butler
In a game filled with sloppiness unrelated to field conditions, Franklin rode a strong second half to a 31-28 victory over Division I-AA foe Butler University at the Butler Bowl. Multiple fumbles, drops, interceptions, long drives that ended without scores, a blocked punt, and a recovered onside kick were among the unusual elements that marked this game. The Grizzlies played a sluggish first half, scoring only 7 points, but roared out in the second half, scoring the first 17 and then hanging on to win.

Butler and Franklin have played 53 times over the years, but this was the first game between the two schools since 1987.