BLUFFTON, Ohio – A huge afternoon from sophomore running back Garrett Cora played a major role in a conference-opening victory for the Franklin football team on Saturday (Oct. 1) afternoon.
 
Cora set career highs with 37 carries for 226 yards and a touchdown and Franklin's (1-3, 1-0 HCAC) offense racked up 495 yards of total offense in a 37-27 win over the Bluffton Beavers (0-4, 0-1 HCAC).
 
How it Happened
Franklin took the ball first and took a lead they would hold all game just 2:28 in. Kai Ross scampered in from 14 yards out to cap a six-play drive for the opening score. Following a Bluffton three-and-out, the Grizzlies added to their lead when Gabe Crutchfield connected on a 24-yard field goal to finish an 11-play drive and make it 10-0.
 
Bluffton scored to open the second quarter but Franklin answered with a nine-yard strike from Ross to Ryus Moore to make it 17-7. Crutchfield knocked home his second field goal of the day later in the quarter and Cora took a handoff 84 yards to the house right before the end of the half to spot Franklin a 27-14 lead at the break.
 
Bluffton got back within a score midway through the third but Franklin would re-gain a two-score lead early in the fourth quarter when Dylan Boswell stepped up and connected on a 21-yard field goal to make it 30-21 with 9:34 to play. Another Bluffton punt followed and Ross put the game out of reach with a six-yard strike to Jarrett Gibson to make it 37-21 with four minutes left.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Cora's total yardage is the most in a game by a Franklin running back since teammate Derek Thompson torched Manchester for 234 yards on 16 touches back in the spring of 2021.
-Ross went 18-for-34 for 233 yards and three total touchdowns.
-Gibson was his prime target on the afternoon, hauling in nine passes for a season-high 125 yards and a score.
-Moore's touchdown catch in the second quarter was the first time he found the end zone in his career.
-Dejon Winburn caught his first career pass for the Grizzlies, hauling in a 51-yard pass from Ross.
-Both Boswell and Crutchfield buried their first career field goals in the game. Boswell added five punts for 213 yards with three downed inside the 20.
-Kody Wilkerson and Andre Harlan tied for the team lead with eight tackles each.
-Franklin forced four turnovers in the game, with Wilkerson and Michael Loper recovering fumbles and Kahari Jackson and Beau Hess notching their first career interceptions.
 
Up Next
Franklin is back in action at home next Saturday (Oct. 8), when they host the Anderson Ravens on homecoming weekend. Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m.