FRANKLIN
The Franklin High School Bronco football team started the game tough and scoring, but came out short by the end of the game as the Park View High School Dragons gave the home team its first defeat of the season.

The Broncos, playing at home at the Armory Drive Football Stadium on Friday, had a 3-0 record going into the game with Park View but ended up with a 28-13 loss.

The Broncos looked good on their first possession as quarterback Myoen Barrett connected with Jamontre Jones for a 54-yard touchdown pass. Adding something new to the Bronco game plan for 2018, Kwami Mitchell kicked the extra point to give the home team a 7-0 lead early in the game.

The Dragons responded quickly as they scored on a 20-yard touch down pass. The extra point kick was blocked by the Broncos.

In what would be the Broncos’ last score of the game, LaSean Nichols-Porter scored in the second quarter on a one-yard run. The kick for the extra point missed its mark, but the Broncos were up 13-6 with 7:51 remaining in the first half.

On the next Dragon possession a long pass advanced the ball into the red zone. T.U. House soon scored for the Dragons, but the 2-point conversion failed. The half ended with the Broncos up 13-12.

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During the half time, the Franklin High School administrative staff, led by Principal Travis Felts, presented former Bronco head football coach Darren Parker with an award. Parker was accompanied by his wife, son and members of his family. In remarks by Felts, Parker was recognized for his 14 years for serving as the head coach of the Broncos. He had 120 wins, 13 losses and won state championships in 2004 and 2008.

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The Broncos opened the second half by receiving the opening kick off. On their first possession they fumbled with the Dragons recovering and soon after scored. This put them ahead 18-13 after the two point conversion failed.

The Dragons added another touch down in the third quarter and a safety in the fourth quarter following a bad snap by the Broncos on a punt.

The Broncos were led in rushing by Tyvon Carr with 56 yards followed by LaSean Nichols-Porter with 52 yards. They rushed for a total of 140 yards. Bronco quarterback Myroen Barrett attempted 12 passes, with two intercepted for total of 72 yards. For defense, Da-Shaun Butts led in tackles with seven, followed by Juhan Carr and Kemond Rogers both with six tackles apiece.

In comments after the game, Bronco head coach Karl Robertson said, “We had a tough game tonight and we don’t make any excuses. At the same time, we expect better of ourselves. We expect to come out and play our game no matter on who we are matched against. We expect to come out and execute no matter of who we are playing against, no matter on which the situation. We got to go back to the drawing board and get better. Keep believing in each other, keep believing in our coaches as well. Stay stoic in everything and know that we are blessed to be out here. Next week will take care of itself and we well come back to try to make sure that this does not happen again.”

The Broncos will be at home on Friday, Sept. 28, for the homecoming game against the Surry High School Cougars at 7 p.m.