By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
The Lincoln Lynx entered their final game of the season still searching for their first victory. Standing in their way was a Franklin Quakers team with a 6-3 record, celebrating homecoming and looking to close out its season with another win.
But Lincoln had other plans.
Behind a strong performance from quarterback Ben Ward, a rushing attack led by Montrese Weaver Jr. and Zachary Nelson, and a defense that came through when it mattered most, the Lynx pulled off a stunning 24-20 upset over Franklin in a Metro League matchup that came down to the final minute.
The victory was Lincoln’s first of the season after entering the game 0-9, and it came in dramatic fashion as Ward connected with Nelson on a 61-yard touchdown pass with 2:25 remaining to give the Lynx the lead for good.
Lincoln wasted no time making a statement, putting together an impressive opening drive after receiving Franklin’s kickoff.
Weaver helped establish the Lynx’s rushing attack with several strong carries, including a 17-yard run that moved Lincoln inside the Franklin 5-yard line. Ward also contributed an 11-yard scramble to keep the drive moving.
The Lynx mixed in their passing game as Ward connected with Truman Atkins for four yards before eventually finding Jack Graham on a 4-yard touchdown pass. The successful extra-point attempt gave Lincoln a 7-0 lead with 8:43 remaining in the first quarter.
Franklin struggled to find its offensive rhythm on its opening possession. Henry Moore, who entered the game as the division’s second-leading rusher, carried the ball three consecutive times, but Lincoln’s defense limited the Quakers to just three yards, forcing a punt.
The Lynx appeared ready to build on their early momentum, but Franklin’s Joseph Gamble intercepted a Ward pass, giving the Quakers possession at the Lincoln 15-yard line.
Franklin quickly took advantage of the turnover. Devion Frazier connected with Corde Frazier on an 8-yard completion to move the ball closer to the goal line before Moore scored on a 2-yard touchdown run.
The Quakers’ two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving Lincoln ahead 7-6 with 4:01 remaining in the opening quarter.
Lincoln responded with another promising drive, fueled by runs from Nelson and a 17-yard carry from Ward. A 15-yard completion to Nicky Theodore helped move the Lynx inside the Franklin 15-yard line as the first quarter ended with Lincoln holding a narrow 7-6 advantage.
The Lynx opened the second quarter facing third down near the goal line. After being stopped for a loss, Lincoln turned to its kicking game, where Torsten Adams converted a 25-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-6 with 11:05 remaining in the half.
Franklin attempted to answer with a lengthy possession, relying heavily on Moore and Corde Frazier to move the ball downfield. However, Lincoln’s defense continued to limit the Quakers’ rushing attack and eventually forced a turnover on downs at the Lynx’s 16-yard line.
Lincoln immediately produced one of the biggest offensive plays of the half when Ward connected with Zyren Massey on a 41-yard completion, moving the Lynx into Franklin territory.
Weaver followed with runs of five and four yards, but a penalty disrupted the drive. Franklin’s defense eventually forced an incomplete pass on fourth down, ending Lincoln’s scoring opportunity.
The Quakers looked to build momentum before halftime, with Devion Frazier breaking loose for a 19-yard run and Tyrique Galloway contributing additional yardage. However, penalties and Lincoln’s defensive pressure stalled the possession, forcing another Franklin punt.
With only 25 seconds remaining, Lincoln attempted to add to its lead. Starting deep in its own territory, Ward gained four yards before Theodore broke free for a 12-yard run. Ward followed with a 9-yard scramble, but a significant loss on the next play ended the opportunity.
Lincoln headed into halftime holding a 10-6 advantage.
The second half began with a dramatic momentum swing.
Lincoln kicked off to Franklin, and Mor Demba Ndiaye electrified the Quakers’ sideline with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Franklin’s two-point conversion attempt failed, but the Quakers had taken their first lead of the night at 12-10.
Lincoln responded immediately.
Weaver opened the Lynx’s next possession with an 11-yard run, and Ward followed with an 8-yard gain. Weaver continued powering through Franklin’s defense, adding runs of 11 and five yards as Lincoln moved into scoring position.
A facemask penalty against Franklin helped move the Lynx closer to the goal line. After being stopped for a loss, Lincoln went back to Weaver, who broke through the defense for a 7-yard touchdown run.
The successful extra-point attempt gave Lincoln a 17-12 lead with 9:24 remaining in the third quarter.
Franklin attempted to answer, but its next possession was disrupted when Devion Frazier fumbled. Moore recovered the ball for the Quakers, allowing Franklin to retain possession, but Lincoln’s defense eventually forced another punt.
Taking over deep in its own territory, Lincoln began another promising possession. Ward connected with Theo Fammartino Johnson on a 25-yard completion before finding Atkins for a 19-yard gain. However, penalties and Franklin’s defensive pressure eventually forced the Lynx to punt.
Franklin regained possession and began moving the ball behind Devion Frazier and Corde Frazier.
Frazier connected with Larian Burney on a 27-yard completion, and Corde Frazier followed with an 11-yard run. Although a holding penalty and additional lost yardage slowed the drive, Devion Frazier kept the Quakers moving with a 17-yard completion to Moore.
The third quarter ended with Lincoln still holding a 17-12 lead, but Franklin was threatening to score.
The Quakers opened the fourth quarter determined to take control.
Galloway picked up eight yards on the ground, helping Franklin continue its drive toward the end zone. After another short gain by Galloway and a 2-yard run by Corde Frazier, the Quakers faced fourth down near the goal line.
Devion Frazier took matters into his own hands, scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run. Frazier also converted the two-point attempt, giving Franklin a 20-17 lead with 9:13 remaining.
With the momentum shifting back toward the home team, Lincoln struggled to move the ball on its next possession. Weaver was held to no gain, and Ward threw consecutive incomplete passes as the Lynx were forced to punt.
Franklin regained possession with an opportunity to extend its lead, but Lincoln’s defense delivered another critical stop.
Moore opened the drive with a 7-yard run, but the Quakers were unable to sustain their momentum. A series of losses, including a sack on fourth down, gave Lincoln possession with an opportunity to regain the lead.
With 4:34 remaining, the Lynx took the field needing one more big play.
Nelson helped move the offense forward with runs of two, six and 10 yards, but a holding penalty pushed Lincoln backward, leaving the Lynx facing second-and-23.
Rather than allowing the setback to end the drive, Ward delivered the biggest offensive play of the night.
Ward dropped back and connected with Nelson, who broke free for a 61-yard touchdown reception, sending the Lincoln sideline into celebration.
The successful extra-point attempt gave the Lynx a 24-20 lead with just 2:25 remaining.
But Franklin was not finished.
The Quakers began their final possession at their own 20-yard line, looking to put together one last scoring drive.
After an incomplete pass and a short completion to Mustafa Salad, a personal foul against Lincoln helped Franklin advance. The Quakers were pushed backward again by a sack, but Leandro Spruill connected with Corde Frazier for seven yards before Devion Frazier found Abdi Hajir on a 28-yard completion.
Following a false-start penalty, Frazier connected with Ndiaye for another 28-yard gain, moving Franklin to the Lincoln 12-yard line.
With just over a minute remaining, the Quakers appeared poised to reclaim the lead.
Corde Frazier gained three yards on first down, moving Franklin to the 9-yard line before the Quakers called a timeout with 1:09 remaining.
Lincoln’s defense then delivered its biggest stand of the season.
After an incomplete pass on second down, Franklin was pushed backward before another incomplete pass left the Quakers facing fourth-and-18 from the Lincoln 20-yard line.
On fourth down, Franklin attempted one final pass into the end zone, but the ball fell incomplete, ending the Quakers’ comeback opportunity.
Lincoln took over possession and held on as the remaining seconds expired, securing the 24-20 victory.
Ward finished the game completing 8 of 17 passes for 171 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also contributed 52 rushing yards on six carries.
Weaver led Lincoln’s rushing attack with 78 yards on 13 carries, including the 7-yard touchdown that put Lincoln ahead in the third quarter. Nelson added 42 rushing yards on seven carries and two receptions for 63 yards, including the decisive 61-yard touchdown.
For Franklin, Moore, the division’s second-leading rusher entering the game, was limited to 30 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown. Ndiaye provided one of the game’s most exciting moments with his 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Devion Frazier added a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown and a successful two-point conversion, while Burney, Hajir and Ndiaye contributed important receptions during Franklin’s second-half comeback attempt.
Despite entering the matchup without a victory, Lincoln continued battling through multiple lead changes, penalties and Franklin’s late scoring threats. The Lynx’s defense, which limited one of the division’s leading rushers and came through with several critical stops, played a major role in securing the upset.
After the game, Lincoln head coach Clay Packard Jr. expressed pride in his team’s determination and ability to finish the season with a victory.
“It was a hard-fought game by both teams, who played their hearts out until the end,” said Packard Jr. “I am really proud of our program for finishing the game and coming up with one more play to close it out.”
Game Stats
Lincoln Lynx
Passing: Ben Ward, 8-of-17, 171 yards, 2 TDs, 1 interception.
Rushing: Montrese Weaver Jr., 13 carries, 78 yards, 1 TD; Ben Ward, 6 carries, 52 yards; Zachary Nelson, 7 carries, 42 yards; Nicky Theodore, 1 carry, 12 yards.
Receiving: Zachary Nelson, 2 receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD; Zyren Massey, 1 reception, 41 yards; Theo Fammartino Johnson, 1 reception, 25 yards; Truman Atkins, 2 receptions, 23 yards; Nicky Theodore, 1 reception, 15 yards; Jack Graham, 1 reception, 4 yards, 1 TD.
Defense: Multiple sacks and fourth-down stops, including the decisive defensive stand on Franklin’s final possession. Individual sack totals were not confirmed.
Scoring:
• Jack Graham — 4-yard touchdown reception from Ben Ward.
• Torsten Adams — 25-yard field goal.
• Montrese Weaver Jr. — 7-yard touchdown run.
• Zachary Nelson — 61-yard touchdown reception from Ben Ward.
• Three successful extra-point kicks.
Franklin Quakers
Passing: Devion Frazier, 7-of-14, 108 yards; Leandro Spruill, 1-of-2, 7 yards.
Rushing: Corde Frazier, 8 carries, 37 yards; Henry Moore, 14 carries, 30 yards, 1 TD; Devion Frazier, 4 carries, 27 yards, 1 TD; Tyrique Galloway, 3 carries, 15 yards.
Receiving: Mor Demba Ndiaye, 1 reception, 28 yards; Abdi Hajir, 1 reception, 28 yards; Larian Burney, 1 reception, 27 yards; Henry Moore, 1 reception, 17 yards; Corde Frazier, 3 receptions, 15 yards; Mustafa Salad, 1 reception, 0 yards.
Defense: Joseph Gamble, 1 interception; Larian Burney, 1 sack; Henry Moore, recovery of a teammate’s fumble.
Scoring:
• Henry Moore — 2-yard touchdown run.
• Mor Demba Ndiaye — 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
• Devion Frazier — 4-yard touchdown run.
• Devion Frazier — successful two-point conversion.
