Patriot Pride

Livonia Franklin-The Patriot defense picked up the intensity in the second half against rival Livonia Stevenson. Stevenson running back Austin White made huge gains in the first quarter, driving deep into Patriot territory. On fourth down and twelve yards to go, the Spartans were looking for another first down to keep the drive going. Defensive lineman Nate Robinson had other plans for Stevenson’s offense as he stuffs the play deep in the backfield.

The Patriot offense had trouble moving the ball on the next series. Quarterback Brent Marzion was sacked in the back field on first down. Senior running back Mike Baumgardner got the ball on the next play running for a few yards getting the offense back to the original line of scrimmage. Marizon throw an incomplete pass on third down forcing the Patriots to punt. Stevenson fumbled the punt, giving the ball back to Franklin on the Spartan twenty six yard line. Senior running back Michael Gadsby had a nice gain for a first down. On the next play, running back Chris Vantuyl fought hard for a five yard gain. Quarterback Bren Marzion threw a nice pass to receiver Antoine Banks II for a touchdown giving the Patriots with the extra point being good a 7-0 lead with 2:16 to go in the first quarter.

The Patriots attempted and on side kick and was picked up by Antoine Banks II. Do to an illegal touching the ball was brought back for a re-kick. The first two plays on the next series were for big gains by running backs #23 Austin White, and #33 Johnathon Pauley. With 1:25 left in the first quarter, Spartans running back White finishes the series with a touchdown, extra point being good bringing the game to a 7-7 tie. The Patriots fumbled the ball on the next possession giving the ball back to Stevenson on the Franklin thirty yard line.

Stevenson moved the ball with ease to the six yard line threatening to score again early into the second quarter. The Patriot defensive wall didn’t allow Stevenson to go any further, and held their ground giving the Franklin offense another chance to take the lead for the second time in the first half. Running back Michael Gadsby had another nice gain setting up the touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Brent Marizon to wide receiver Blake Lukas. The first half ends with a 14-7 lead by Franklin.

For the start of the third quarter, running backs Gadsby and Vantuyl moved the ball for a Patriot first down. Wide receiver Blake Lukas made a great five yard catch. Michael Gadsby who finished with one hundred yards rushing scored the next Patriots touchdown. The extra point being good gave the Patriots a 21-7 lead being the final score of the third quarter.

The Franklin defense stepped it up in the second half. The Spartan offense had a lot of trouble moving the ball against the fired up Patriot defense. Future Michigan wolverine Austin White had one big gain but was brought back because of a hold. The Patriot 3-4 defense was a great call by Coach John Diponio. The defensive line caused havoc, the line backers where all over the ball, and the secondary played tight in the second half given the Patriots their first win of the season against rival Livonia Stevenson. The Patriots finished with two hundred seventy nine yards on the ground with running back Michael Baumgardner as the lead rusher with seventeen carries for one hundred and thirty three yards. It’s time to move the chains to Walled Lake Western.

By Ray Finamore

Rayzor Edge Sports Writing

ray_finamore Game Summary Rayzor Edge Sports Writing

It was great to see all squads (Freshman, JV and Varsity) open with big wins to start the 2009 season.  And who better to beat that cross-town rival Livonia Stevenson.  The Franklin Football players that have dedicated so much time in the off-season to training and making themselves better athletes, it is starting to pay off.   Keep the momentum going into this week’s game against WLW.  Be STRONER, be FASTER, be BETTER!  Remeber if you play as a TEAM, you cannot lose.

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