Cougars Defeat #1 Franklin 14-7 : Football : Cougar Sports Network

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Sep 08, 2008 - 04:16 AM

Football: Cougars Defeat #1 Franklin 14-7

Asheville - October 30, 2006 - In a game that was postponed from Friday to Monday due to the weather, the Asheville Cougars appeared to like Monday Night Football as they defeated the #1 ranked and previously unbeaten Franklin Panthers (9-1, 4-1) by a score of 14-7. Barring a major upset this Friday at North Buncombe, Asheville will share the MAC title with Franklin (if they defeat Enka), and should get the top seed in the upcoming 3A playoffs.

The Cougars have been somewhat erratic in attaining their 6-3/4-1 record, but put it all together against Franklin, over whom they hold a 10-1 record and also spoiled a potential perfect season for the second consecutive year.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Cougars fell behind 0-7, but Rahkeem Morgan connected with sophomore Greg Ray (in his second varsity start) to put the Cougars within striking distance. Ray then scored from one yard out and the two teams went into the locker rooms tied 7-7 at the half. In the second half, Asheville had a sustained 79 yard, 12 play drive highlighted by strong running up the middle, and Ray broke a 15-yard run to make the final score 14-7.

The AHS defense was perhaps the best weapon of all, as they held the #1 Panthers, who had been averaging 33 points per game, to just 7 points. Giovanni McKnight and Johnny McMorris had key interceptions for the Cougars, while Quinn Kirkland and Logan Livingstain hurried Panther QB Christian Vose all night.

Asheville’s defense held Franklin’s offense under double-digit scoring for the first time in 24 games, the last being a 7-47 loss at Roberson on November 5, 2004, and allowed a total of 188 yards, 118 below the Panther’s season average.

It is interesting to note that the Cougars had 10 penalties called against them(including a TD run by Rico Parks that was called back), while Franklin had zero penalty yardage.

SCORING BY QUARTERS

FHS 0-7-0-0=7
AHS 0-7-7-0=14

SCORING SUMMARY

2nd Quarter

F – Josh Young one-yard run (Chase Henry kick)

A – Greg Ray one-yard run (Reed Turchi kick)

3rd Quarter

A – Ray 15-yard run (Turchi kick)

RECORDS

FHS 9-1 (4-1 in MAC)

AHS 6-3 (4-1 in MAC)

NEXT WEEK (November 3rd)

Franklin vs Enka

Asheville at North Buncombe

[Check out the game stats via the links under the Game of the Week tab on the home page. The links will be updated when the official stats become available. ]

Posted by CougarSportsNet on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 (657 Reads)