“It’s the worst feeling in the world,” moaned Wildcats senior running back Chris Hymer after a thorough 42-14 thumping by Turpin in a Division II, Region 8 semifinal on Friday night. “They’re 12-0 for a reason.”
Of course they are. The Wildcats hadn’t been humbled like this all season.
It was a daunting task for Franklin (10-2), which opened the playoffs by dodging Northwest 34-28 last week. Turpin (12-0), was crowned the D-II state poll champ. Also the region’s No. 1 seed, the Spartans pounded Tippecanoe 26-3 in their playoff opener.
Turpin helped form the Eastern Cincinnati Conference this fall. Compiled mostly of former Fort Ancient Valley Conference Cardinal Division rivals, the Spartans weren’t pushed in winning the first ECC title. It’s also the third time in the last seven seasons that Turpin has won 12 games.
Led by the Stocker twins, Tom and Matt, Turpin’s defense mostly held Franklin in check. The Wildcats needed career games from their specialty players, senior receiver Connor Stickelman, sophomore quarterback Luke Kennard and Hymer. Turpin didn’t allow that to happen.
Stickelman surpassed 60 catches for the season. But he might as well have had a flashing red light taped to his helmet for all the secondary attention he drew. He went out with an 8-yard scoring reception from Kennard with 1:30 left.
Hymer was at his frenetic best, going for 120 yards on 15 carries. His second-quarter score pulled Franklin even at 7-all.
Kennard, the area’s most promising sophomore QB, completed 15-of-24 passes for 134 yards. But he too often was chased out of the pocket and limited to a short running gain. Forced to improvise, that was his best chance to unload a home-run heave. It wouldn’t happen.
Franklin’s defense was up to a formidable challenge but wore down and finally wilted in the fourth quarter. Senior defensive back Caleb Miller went out with an interception and his eighth blocked kick (an extra point).
But there was no answer for Turpin QB Connor Jansen. He rushed for 144 yards and three scores.
Turpin’s reward is a region final matchup next Friday against defending state champ Trotwood-Madison, which upended Winton Woods 27-20 in overtime.
Franklin coach Rodney Roberts consoled the Wildcats seniors. As well he should. Franklin won 19 games the last two years. He saluted another large community following.
“I’m proud of our kids,” he said. “It was a great ride.”
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