BLUFFTON, Ohio – The Franklin football team hit the road for the final time in the season on Saturday (Nov. 9) afternoon, taking on the Bluffton Beavers.
 
The Grizzlies (3-6, 2-3 HCAC) mounted a furious second half rally and had a chance to win it at the final gun, but the Beavers (3-6, 3-3 HCAC) would hold on to win 28-22.
 
How it Happened
Bluffton raced out to a 21-0 halftime lead as Franklin's offense struggled to get going in the opening half, with the Grizzlies punting four times and turning it over twice. Franklin broke through on the first drive of the second half, with Garrett Cora finishing off a 10-play drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Kahari Jackson picked off a pass to start the very next drive and Cora finished off the short field with a four-yard score to cut the Beaver lead to 21-13 with 10 minutes to go in the third quarter.
 
Bluffton added a touchdown late in the third quarter, but Franklin answered early in the fourth with a 24-yard pass from Kai Ross to Matt Nealy, but the extra point was blocked to keep the Beaver lead at two scores at 28-19. Franklin picked off their fourth pass of the day and turned it into a 21-yard Dakota Foerg field goal to make it 28-22 with seven minutes to go.
 
Franklin had two golden chances to punch in the go-ahead touchdown late in the game, but got stuffed twice in the red zone and turned it over on downs with 40 seconds to go. After the Beavers turned it over on downs deep in their own territory with 17 seconds to play, Franklin moved the ball down to the Bluffton 10 with one second to go. But Ross' fade route for Owen Wright was batted away at the gun.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Cora racked up 152 yards on 28 carries and added two more rushing touchdowns.
-Ross went 16-for-30 through the air for 165 yards and a touchdown.
-Malachi Joy led the Grizzlies with four grabs for 51 yards
-Nealy's touchdown grab was the first of his career.
-Franklin's defense forced six turnovers, with Jackson and Clarence Cunningham picking off two passes each.
-Haidyn Bulmer and Haden Durnil tied for the team lead with nine tackles each.
-De'Marriea Stephens made five stops and picked off his first pass of the year.
-Jake Jones had four stops and recovered a fumble.
 
Up Next
Franklin closes out the 2024 campaign next Saturday (Nov. 16), hosting the Hanover Panthers in the annual Victory Bell Game and senior day. Kick-off from Faught Stadium is set for 1:30 p.m.