By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
The Franklin Quakers used an explosive first quarter and a dominant defensive performance to take control early and never looked back, as they defeated the Cleveland Eagles 51-0.
After Cleveland kicked off to start the game, Franklin quickly went to work. Henry Moore broke loose for a 21-yard gain before finishing the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to give the Quakers an early 6-0 lead.
After a quick turnover on downs by Cleveland, Franklin added another touchdown on a 20-yard scoring run. The extra point was no good, giving the Quakers a 12-0 lead with 9:43 remaining in the first quarter.
Cleveland struggled to find its rhythm on the ensuing possession, and Franklin quickly capitalized after another turnover on downs. Quarterback Davion Frazier connected with Moore for a 37-yard touchdown pass, extending the Quakers’ lead to 18-0. Moore’s 37-yard score was his lone touchdown reception of the game. Pasted markdown
Franklin’s defense also began making its presence felt, recording sacks and repeatedly putting Cleveland in difficult down-and-distance situations. Isa Abdul Shakur recorded a sack during the quarter, his fifth of the season, as Cleveland was unable to sustain its next drive and turned the ball over on downs once again.
The Quakers continued their offensive surge as Moore found the end zone for the third time in the quarter on a 36-yard touchdown run. Frazier then connected with Serigne Ndiaye for the two-point conversion to extend Franklin’s lead to 26-0 with 6:16 remaining.
After another Cleveland possession ended without points, Frazier connected with Joseph Gamble for a 21-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good, giving the Quakers a 33-0 advantage with 2:38 remaining in the opening quarter. Gamble finished with one reception for 21 yards and the touchdown. Pasted markdown
Cleveland managed a few positive runs from Ezra Levias and Cozmyk Ivory, but Franklin’s defense continued to make stops when it mattered most, and the Quakers carried a 33-0 lead into the second quarter.
Cleveland opened the second quarter with a short run by Ivory but was stopped on fourth down, giving Franklin possession. The Quakers quickly capitalized as Moore broke free for a 17-yard touchdown run, his fourth touchdown of the game. Cleveland blocked the extra-point attempt, leaving Franklin with a 39-0 lead.
Moore’s four-touchdown performance highlighted Franklin’s first-half offensive explosion. He finished with three rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown while accounting for 115 yards from scrimmage. His four carries produced 78 rushing yards, while his 37-yard touchdown reception gave him another 37 yards through the air. Pasted markdown Pasted markdown
Cleveland continued to struggle offensively, with Levias and Max Dang combining for several short runs before another turnover on downs. Franklin responded with a 17-yard run by Frazier, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run by Ndiaye to extend the lead to 45-0. Cleveland again blocked the extra-point attempt.
Cleveland later fumbled but recovered the ball, and Franklin maintained control for the remainder of the half, taking a commanding 45-0 lead into halftime.
Cleveland opened the second half with a promising drive, as Julion Alldredge, Levias and Dang combined for several positive runs. Alldredge opened the possession with a 7-yard run, Levias added gains of 5 and 7 yards, and Dang picked up another 3 yards as Cleveland moved into Franklin territory.
But the drive stalled after a bad snap and a series of negative plays, with Franklin eventually recording a fourth-down sack to regain possession.
The Quakers were unable to capitalize on their next possession. After a penalty and a 7-yard run, Franklin fumbled and Cleveland recovered the ball. Neither team was able to add to the scoreboard during the third quarter, leaving Franklin in control with a 45-0 advantage heading into the fourth.
Cleveland began the final quarter with the ball but again had difficulty sustaining its offense. Franklin recorded another sack before Ivan Juarez intercepted an Alldredge pass on fourth down, giving the Quakers another opportunity to score. Juarez was credited with Franklin’s interception. Pasted markdown
Franklin quickly turned the takeaway into points. Calvin Johnson opened the possession with a 12-yard run, followed by another 21-yard gain before Jayden Blake Saeteurn broke loose for a 41-yard touchdown run. Cleveland blocked the extra-point attempt, giving Franklin a 51-0 lead with 4:15 remaining. Saeteurn finished with 41 rushing yards and a touchdown. Pasted markdown
Cleveland continued to battle late, with Dang breaking loose for a 25-yard run. But Franklin’s defense stiffened again, stopping the Eagles for no gain as Cleveland tried to put together a late scoring drive. An incomplete pass from Alldredge with the clock winding down brought the game to an end as Franklin completed the 51-0 shutout.
Game Stats
Franklin Quakers
Passing: Davion Frazier, 4 completions, 4 attempts, 116 yards, 3 TDs; Jayden Fleming, 2 completions, 2 attempts, 34 yards. Pasted markdown
Rushing: Henry Moore, 4 carries, 78 yards, 3 TDs; Jayden Blake Saeteurn, 2 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD; Davion Frazier, 1 carry, 18 yards; Jayden Fleming, 1 carry, 7 yards; Serigne Ndiaye, 1 carry, 1 yard, 1 TD. Pasted markdown
Receiving: Henry Moore, 1 reception, 37 yards, 1 TD; Mustafa Salad, 1 reception, 34 yards, 1 TD; Abdirahim Omar, 1 reception, 22 yards; Joseph Gamble, 1 reception, 21 yards, 1 TD. Pasted markdown
Defense: 4 sacks; 1 INT; shutout.
Defensive Leaders: Isa Abdul Shakur, 3 sacks; Abdirahim Omar, 1 sack; Ivan Juarez, 1 INT. Pasted markdown
Cleveland Eagles
Scoring: 0 points.
Passing: Julion Alldredge, 2 completions, 8 attempts, 3 yards.
Rushing: Max Dang, 4 carries, 29 yards; Ezra Levias, 9 carries, 27 yards; Cozmyk Ivory, 2 carries, 13 yards; Julion Alldredge, 1 carry, 7 yards.
Receiving: Cozmyk Ivory, 1 reception, 3 yards.
Defense: Cleveland recovered 1 Franklin fumble.
Special Teams: Cleveland blocked 3 Franklin extra-point attempts.
Pictorial Highlights Franklin vs Cleveland
