SUSSEX—Normally the Franklin High School Broncos versus the Sussex Central Tigers football game is a knock-down drag-them-out battle of two great teams.

But Friday night at Sussex Central it was all Broncos.

“You don’t play a Darren Parker FHS team when you are not at your best, and we were not at our best,” remarked the Tigers head coach Curtis Jefferson after his team lost 26-8 to the Broncos. Jefferson added that he had lost 16 players due to a suspension of players from last week’s Park View game.

The game started with the unexpected as the Tigers were successful on pulling off an onside kick and getting the ball at mid-field. But on the Tigers second play from scrimmage they coughed up a fumble that was recovered by the Broncos. And from that point it was all downhill for the Tigers as the Broncos cranked up their offensive team for scoring. On the Broncos’ first series of plays, Terry Warren opened up the scoring on a two-yard touchdown run and Angel Padilla added the extra point for a Bronco 7-0 lead.

Corey Porter for the Broncos added the next points following a 35-yard run, but following the touchdown, the Padilla extra point attempt was blocked.

The Broncos scored again early in the second quarter on a Laquadric Pittman 64-yard touchdown pass to Corey Porter. Padilla missed the kick on the extra point, but the Broncos were now up 19-0, which held to the half.

Striking again early in the third quarter, Bronco quarterback Pittman went back to the air and connected on a 25-yard touchdown pass to Darrien Duck. Padilla added the extra point to advance the Bronco led to 26-0.

The Tigers’ only score of the game came with 41 seconds remaining in the game as running back Churrio Scott raced away the left end of the line and went untouched for an 84-yard touchdown run. Tiger quarterback Malik Delk crossed the goal line for the two-point conversion.

Bronco head coach Darren Parker remarked afterward that the team did a great job on executing on all three phrases of the game. He ended with “God is great.”

The Broncos are now 5-1 in the district.

Broncos Marcus Stephens led all rushers with 97 yards, followed by Latrell Lane with 80 yards. The Broncos rushed for a total of 270 yards and 89 yards in passing. Alison Cromwell led in tackles with 7, followed by Aaron Sumblin & Jack Sykes both with 4.

The Broncos (6-1) will host Greensville County (1-6) for homecoming on Oct. 25 at Armory Park Football Stadium.