Broncos expect to make the playoffs
Published 1:58 pm Friday, September 2, 2022
The 2022 Franklin High School varsity football team members pictured include, from left, front row, Derrick Perry, Kaden Bailey, Solomon Moody, Myrone Rawlings Jr., Micah Daniel-Scott, Jordan Myrick, Altavis Turner; second row, Kevin Williams, Aquarius Turner, Jaden Talley, Markelyn Fenner, Jalen Robinson, Micah Artis, Kenyon Richardson; third row, Lojuan Whitfield, Anthony Brown, Khamarj Fleetwood, Jaden Reid, Markell Turner, Kevin Williams, Jordan Duck, Jabari Warren; fourth row, JaHaggi Joyner, Antwan Warren, Taraji Ruffin, Xavier Banks, Colby White, Ahmad McNeil, DeMoreon Smith, Markeese Kelly-Edwards; fifth row, Jabbi Joyner, Shawn Battle, Eli Brummel, Christian Owens, Jamari Scott, Vonshae Williams, Jayvion Rawles; back row, Assistant Coach Xavier Taylor, Assistant Coach Terry Warren, Head Coach Lamont Hill, Assistant Coach Jeremy Easterday and Assistant Coach Nick Hagen. (Photo courtesy of Lifetouch)
Franklin High School sophomore quarterback Altavis Turner goes back to pass as senior offensive lineman Shawn Battle, No. 66, stands at the ready to block. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Looking back to the quarterback while running wide is Franklin High School junior wide receiver Kaden Bailey. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Franklin High School Head Coach Lamont Hill speaks to his players during a practice in advance of the 2022 season. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
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Franklin High School’s varsity football team enters the 2022 season with a new head coach in Lamont Hill, who is a former Broncos football player with experience coaching in the sport, including a year as a Franklin varsity assistant coach.
The team is coming off a 2021 season in which it went 2-9 and missed the playoffs, but Hill has high expectations for the 2022 squad, anticipating a return to the postseason.
“We expect to make the playoffs,” he said. “We should be able to make a run, if everything falls in place, and that’s going to be with the young guys getting experience, really catching on, and the older guys leading the way. We should be able to make a run.”
The team features about 43 players, including 12 seniors. Hill said the roster is heavy with seniors and freshmen.
Several players have stood out to Hill as those whom he is going to be counting on to lead the Broncos on the field.
He first highlighted senior Derrick Perry, who will be contributing at running back and defensive back.
“He’s a do-it-all-type of guy,” Hill said. “You put the ball in his hands, you’re comfortable with it, and you also know that he’s going to come up and make a tackle when needed and also provide great coverage.”
Junior Kaden Bailey, a track standout, is expected to be a key difference-maker for the Broncos, playing at wide receiver and defensive back.
“Kaden’s just a game changer,” Hill said. “Any time you get the ball in his hands, it’s a chance to take it to the house.”
Senior Shawn Battle will provide a veteran presence on the offensive line, where he will alternate playing guard and tackle, and he will also play defensive tackle.
“He’s going to be the anchor of both lines,” Hill said.
Perry, Bailey and Battle are all returning starters.
Hill noted that two significant rivalry games are on the schedule this season, including the Oct. 21 home game against Sussex Central High School and the regular season finale Nov. 4 at Southampton High School.
The coach pinpointed a game on the schedule that will give him a good, early idea of where Franklin is at in its development this season — the Sept. 15 game at Essex High School, the Broncos’ third game.
“That’s going to give us two games under our belt to go out and make adjustments, and by game three, it should really be clicking with the guys,” Hill said.
The Broncos open the season Thursday, Sept. 1, at Amelia County High School. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Franklin High School Broncos Schedule
Head Coach
Lamont Hill
Varsity
Friday, Aug. 26 Bye
Thursday, Sept. 1 Amelia County High School — away at 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 9 Colonial Beach High School — at home — 7 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 15 Essex High School — away at 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 23 Windsor High School — at home — 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 30 Buckingham County High School — at home — 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 7 Surry County High School — at home — 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 14 Brunswick High School — away at 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 21 Sussex Central High School — at home — 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 28 Greensville County High School — away at 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 4 Southampton High School — away at 7 p.m.
