FRANKLIN

The Franklin High School Broncos jumped out in front of the Lancaster Red Devils in the opening minutes of the Region 1A playoffs, held at the Peggy Wilkins Gym in Franklin High School on Tuesday. The Broncos fought off a fourth quarter run by the Red Devils to win 76-67.

The Broncos opened the first quarter with 11-2 run in the opening minutes and held the lead at 20-15 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Bronco defense held the Red Devils to their lowest scoring quarter with 6 points. The quarter ended with the home team up 31-21.

Offensively, the third quarter was their best in scoring as the Broncos outscored the Red Devils 24-21 and continued to lead in scoring with the score 55-42.

Going into the final quarter of play, the Red Devils made a run at the Broncos. On several Bronco possessions they attempted to slow the game down to eat up time off of the clock. The Red Devils, getting more aggressive, pressed hard and on some possessions they were able to steal the ball and score. But the home team each time fought off their efforts as the Broncos’ Drelyn Ford went to work scoring 16 points to keep the Broncos ahead.

In comments after the game, coach Robby Cutchins sait, “It was a great overall team effort. Bottom line is, we just knocked off the division 1-A defending state champions. You know, that is a great program. I have a ton of respect for coach Rice and what he has done at Lancaster. They put us out two years ago over at their place and I knew we were in for a battle tonight. Just like I told coach Rice after the game, even when we got to 14 & 15 [points ahead], I was never comfortable ’cause you know that they got that run in them.

“But at the end of the day, I am so proud of these guys. When you have a week and a half to prepare for a game you sometimes don’t know what to expect if it is going to help you or kill your momentum. We won six out of our last eight basketball games coming into that break. But I had the time that we needed to scout the way that I needed to scout — to put a game plan for offense and defense and continue to put it together time and time again in practice. It just showed how much work these kids put in. Again, I am so proud of them, and we will turn right around and get ready for Rappahannock on Thursday.”

It was noted by Cutchins well after the game that Ford had surpassed the 1,000th career rebounds during the game. He added that due to the severity of the game that it could not be stopped to present any recognition at that point. He further added that Ford now becomes the all-time leading rebounder in Franklin High School history.

The Broncos had three players in double figures. They were Drelyn Ford with 30 points, Malik Haley with 27 points and Juhan Carr with 12 points.

The Red Devils also had three players in double figures. They were lead by B.J. Lee and Terrence Frisby, both with 14 points apiece, and Gerrell Moody with 12 points.

The Broncos will play in the Region A semifinals at Rappahannock tonight, Feb. 21, at 6 o’clock.