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That’s just what a matchup of two old rivals and quality teams can do. Both squads are coming off Week 1 wins and hoping to use Friday’s meeting at Franklin as a springboard for another successful season.
“Every game is a big game and we don’t look down the road, but last year we were able to get on a roll after this game, and it would be a great win for us if we can pull it out Friday night,” said Franklin coach Brad Childers, an Edgewood alumnus. “It’s a great high school football game, a great rivalry of old (Mid-Miami League) teams where everyone is giving their best effort and the coaches are getting the kids prepared to be successful. We just have to go out and execute and play to our potential, and if we do that against a good team like Edgewood, we know we can line up every week and compete with anyone on our schedule.”
It has not always been the case where this game seems to impact the rest of the season, but both programs have taken big steps forward since the rivalry was renewed in 2014.
And one thing hasn’t changed: The games have been close the past three years with all of them decided by 14 points or less, including two by one score. Both teams anticipate another competitive game Friday.
“We try to prepare ourselves for our league and tough opponents, and that’s why Franklin is on the schedule,” Edgewood coach Scott Clemmons said. “They are a good team and do a great job of making us a better football team for ourselves and who we play in our league.”
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Edgewood especially could benefit from facing a good team like Franklin as the Cougars are still sorting things out with several new players on offense.
Junior quarterback Corbin Craft has stepped in to replace SWOC Co-Athlete of the Year Drew Reckart, but threw just three passes last week in a 38-13 win against Monroe and eight different players carried the ball. Wade Phillips emerged as a leader with 115 yards rushing, while fullback Elijah Williams proved to be a finisher with three touchdowns on the ground.
“We had quite a few young men touch the ball, so from the first game we took away that different guys are getting opportunities and everyone has to be ready to go and do their part,” Clemmons said. “Our defense did a good job getting to the ball. We had a misstep in the second quarter and let a few big plays through, and we can’t do that against a good team like Franklin. They are going to come out and play fast and physical, and they’ll be well-organized and disciplined.”
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The Wildcats used a big second half to beat Carlisle 47-14 last week with returning Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division Offensive Player of the Year Ryan Montgomery rushing for 176 yards and four touchdowns and second-year quarterback Braden White completing all 11 passes for 130 yards and two scores.
Childers said his team will have to get off to a quicker start against Edgewood, which means eliminating penalties and getting off the field sooner on defense, specifically by stopping the run.
“We showed signs we can be a complete team last week, but we have to put it together on offense, defense and special teams, and we have to put it together Friday if we want to be successful against Edgewood,” Childers said. “They are a physical team, they run the Wing-T very well, and they are very well-coached. Like everyone, they’ve lost players but gained some, and they are good on defense, so we’re looking forward to a good competition.”
Friday’s game
What: Edgewood (1-0) at Franklin (1-0), 7 p.m.
Where: Veterans Memorial Field at Atrium Stadium, 301 E. Sixth St., Franklin
Last year: Franklin won 27-21
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