Coming into tonight’s matchup, the Franklin Cougars and Montwood Rams had a daunting 1-2 record in their young seasons, which they both wanted to get to .500 after the night was over.
It was very telling that both teams were hungry to get a win, as scores were exchanged in the 1st half.
The scoring escapades began at Cougar Stadium with 4:03 left in the 1st Quarter when Franklin’s Cameron Byrd connected with Beau Sparks for a 45-yard TD pass to make it 7-0, Franklin.
On Montwood’s ensuing drive, Kevin Melendez was intercepted by Hector Facio and he ran it back all the way to give Franklin a quick 13-0 lead.
The Rams were able to get onto the scoreboard for the first time in the game early in the 2nd Quarter with a 2-yard TD run by Izayuh Claudio to make it 13-7, Franklin.
Montwood had their first lead of the game with 7:05 left in the 2nd quarter when Kevin Melendez found Yamil Oaxaca for a 38-yard TD pass to make it 14-13, Montwood.
The Cougars regained the lead with a 15-yard TD run by Miles McWhorter to make it 21-14, Franklin with 5:35 left before halftime.
The Rams tied things up at 21 a piece with a 12-yard Melendez QB keeper.
The final score in the 1st half came when Franklin’s Cameron Byrd had a 28-yard TD pass to Franco Hernandez to make it 28-21, Franklin at halftime.
Montwood began a disastrous 3rd Quarter with a turnover on their first drive, which led to a 5-yard McWhorter TD run for the Cougars to make it 35-21, Franklin with less than 4 minutes into the quarter.
Despite 4 total turnovers in the 3rd quarter, the Rams managed to keep it close with a 5-yard Melendez to Oaxaca TD pass to make it 35-28, Franklin.
The Cougars struck next with a 1-yard McWhorter TD run to put Franklin up 42-28 with 4:23 left in the 3rd quarter.
Franklin had an additional TD run by McWhorter with a 10-yard dash to the endzone to make it 49-28, Cougars with 1:50 left in the 3rd quarter.
In the 4th quarter, the Rams tried to make it close with a 39-yard Field Goal. They then had a 14-yard TD pass from Melendez to Oaxaca to make it 49-39, Franklin with 4:58 left in the game.
The Rams had one last score with a 1-yard QB keeper by Melendez with a missed PAT. The Rams tried an onside kick with 23 seconds left in the game, but that was kicked out of bounds and giving the Cougars the ball back as they claimed a 49-45 victory.
The Rams (1-3) will host the Coronado T-Birds next week. The Cougars(2-2) will travel to Eastwood next Friday.
After the game, Cougars Coach Daren Walker talked about the win:
Paul David Oliver Reporting