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Franklin High School’s varsity football team is focused this year on achieving consistent success that carries through into the latter half of the year, fueled by a detail-orientation designed to strengthen execution.

The Broncos went 4-7 overall in 2023, starting the season 4-2 but ending on a five-game slide, including a loss in their playoff opener, the Region 1B Tournament quarterfinals.

Lamont Hill returns for his third year as Franklin’s head coach, and he outlined his expectations for the team in 2024.

“The goal is to always make Dec. 13 the last practice of the year, and if we do that, then we’re playing for a state championship, but first we must secure the district championship and then regional championship,” he said. “The second half of the season has been our Achilles heel the past two years, so finishing strong has been an emphasis this offseason. Fine tuning the small mistakes or breakdowns in execution has been another area that we have been focusing on.”

He affirmed that he and his staff will be evaluating the Broncos’ performance across all 10 regular season games to determine if they are ready to make a deep playoff run.

“The first few games are a reflection of our offseason work,” he said.

He noted that the second half of the season is all about two things:

• “Adjustments from the staff, because every school has enough film on you at that point” and
• “The ‘will and want’ by the young men on the team to meet the daily demands of the season.”

He added, “Adversity will happen, and we will be prepared to handle it.”

The Broncos have been adapting to the loss of some of their leaders from last season who have since graduated. Among the seniors on the ’23 roster were wide receiver Kaden Bailey, kicker/defensive end Greyson Councill, wide receiver/cornerback Qwayshawn Gilliam, wide receiver/defensive end Cameron Moody, lineman Anthony Morgan, defensive end Jaden Talley, wide receiver/tight end Chaevon Torrance and linebacker Kevin Williams.

“All of the players that we lost from last year’s team were key to the program,” Hill said. “They all had different contributions but were all equally important.”

However, some familiar faces return on Franklin’s 2024 roster, and they are preparing to lead the newest iteration of the Broncos.

“Offensively, it all starts up front,” Hill said, “and we’re fortunate enough to return three starters on the offensive line: Thomas Hughes, tackle, senior; Eli Brummel, tackle, senior; and Xavier Banks, center, junior.”

Back at the quarterback position is Altavis Turner for his senior year.

Franklin’s stable of running backs will be led by senior Travis Mabry Jr., who will also play at wide receiver. Other players to watch will include senior running back Anthony Brown and sophomore running back Lamaj Boone.

“We have several others that will contribute to our success,” Hill said.

The coach noted that on defense, “we are expecting better production at all three levels.”

Leading the way on the line will be senior defensive tackle Ahmad McNeil and junior defensive end DeMoreon Smith.

Hill said junior Jaden Reid is leading the Broncos’ linebacking corps, senior safety Ke’Mari Winfrey is expected to be a leader in the secondary.

Franklin opens the season with a bye on Friday, Aug. 30, and it will then play for at least 10 consecutive weeks, starting with a road game Friday, Sept. 6, at Amelia County High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

 

2024 Franklin High School Broncos Schedule

Aug. 30: Bye

Sept. 6: Amelia County – away – 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: Colonial Beach – at home – 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: Essex – away – 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: Windsor – at home – 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: Arcadia – at home – 7 p.m.

Oct. 11: Surry County – at home – 7 p.m.

Oct. 17: Brunswick – away – 7 p.m.

Oct. 25: Sussex Central – at home – 7 p.m.

Nov. 1: Greensville County – away – 7 p.m.

Nov. 8: Southampton County – away – 7 p.m.