Franklin Central’s offense features lineman Payton Lamping, running back Johnnie Mickle, wide receiver Maliki Parks, quarterback Dylan Bishop and lineman Calvin Shelton.
FRANKLIN CENTRAL (8-2) – Key graduation losses were leading rusher Michael Pitz (1,79 yards, 13 TDs), lineman Payton Ditchley (University of Indianapolis), No. 2 rusher Jaylen Brown (506 yards) and linebacker Kajuan Coe (each Nortrh Dakota State College of Science) and defensive end James Atnip (Franklin College) … prolific offense averaged 32.0 points before sectional action … fourth season under coach Grant Lewis (15-15) … offense led by third-year quarterback Dylan Bishop (1,851 yards passing, 63.8 completion percentage, 23 TDs, only seven interceptions). O-line averages 250 pounds with tackles Calvin Shelton and Callan Shockey, guards Payton Lamping and Joshua Huffman and center Tyler Robinson … running back Johnnie Mickle (5.0 yards per carry) … senior Maliki Parks (47 catches, 722 yards, six TDs) and junior Peyton McClendon at slotback … linebackers, senior Mario Coles (128 tackles) and junior Nate Talhelm (86 tackles), lead defense … agile D-line features Steven Edwards (42 tackles) and DeShawn Young … brothers Luca and Mateo Hodge line up as D-backs … Lewis likes Flashes’ work ethic … same sectional as powerhouses Center Grove and Columbus North … could be better team than last year but record may not be as glossy thanks to conference foes … open Friday at Decatur Central.
Coach’s comments: “Everybody knows what we are about now. Last year going 8-2, a lot of people outside of the program were surprised and shocked, but it has always been the expectation for us to be a great football team – so we are happy to be back on the map. The expectation hasn’t changed just because we’re playing new opponents or because Center Grove is in our sectional. The kids’ goal is to win conference, win sectional and move on through the playoff race. The kids have been working their tails off. A lot of the leadership tendencies that were set in stone last year from that very solid. “We have one of the harder schedules in the state with Decatur Central and Roncalli before we even get to the second-best conference in the state. The kids picked the motto: ‘Respect all, fear none.’ They know we have a big task; I think they know we will be the underdogs. We like being the underdog. The HCC (Hoosier Crossroads Conference) is a step up. The kids know that our brand of football is to be more physical at the point of attack and more disciplined, so we don’t make those little mistakes. We are going to focus on the details. This is our fourth year together and the culture has shifted. Our coaches will be able to put our kids in the best positions."
Coach’s comments: “Everybody knows what we are about now. Last year going 8-2, a lot of people outside of the program were surprised and shocked, but it has always been the expectation for us to be a great football team – so we are happy to be back on the map. The expectation hasn’t changed just because we’re playing new opponents or because Center Grove is in our sectional. The kids’ goal is to win conference, win sectional and move on through the playoff race. The kids have been working their tails off. A lot of the leadership tendencies that were set in stone last year from that very solid. “We have one of the harder schedules in the state with Decatur Central and Roncalli before we even get to the second-best conference in the state. The kids picked the motto: ‘Respect all, fear none.’ They know we have a big task; I think they know we will be the underdogs. We like being the underdog. The HCC (Hoosier Crossroads Conference) is a step up. The kids know that our brand of football is to be more physical at the point of attack and more disciplined, so we don’t make those little mistakes. We are going to focus on the details. This is our fourth year together and the culture has shifted. Our coaches will be able to put our kids in the best positions."
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