[Blau Vogel]

FRANKLIN — Underdog? Not a problem.

Franklin-Simpson (13-1) won’t have history on its side when it meets Highlands at 3 p.m. Saturday for the Class 4A football championship in the Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl at Houchens-Smith Stadium in Bowling Green.

The Bluebirds (14-0) have won 20 state titles, including four straight, but the Wildcats aren’t blinking an eye.

“We all think we can win this - everybody in this locker room,” senior linebacker Oshea Ray said Wednesday. “I don’t think anybody outside this locker room thinks we can win it, but we’re used to winning.”

It’s been 16 years since Franklin-Simpson played in a state championship game. The Wildcats have played in six total, winning back-to-back championships in 1979 and 1980.

The community is hungry for some hardware.

“Everybody here is excited,” Franklin-Simpson coach Tim Schlosser said. “I’ve had several people call, and it’s kind of rekindled interest from people who were around here in the ’90s and late ’70s and early ’80s when we went to the state finals. Anytime you have a team advance, it brings everybody together.”

But to come out on top, the Wildcats must go through a seasoned Highlands team that broke its own state records this year for most points (807) and touchdowns (115) in a season. The Bluebirds have 56 consecutive winning seasons and haven’t lost a playoff game since 2006.

“We’re an underdog, but that’s good for us,” FSHS senior quarterback Max Bennett said. “We have nothing to lose. They have everything to lose.”

Highlands is led by senior quarterback Patrick Towles, who’s verbally committed to the University of Kentucky.

Towles has completed 169 of 261 passes for 3,637 yards, 41 touchdowns and one interception. He also has 14 rushing touchdowns and was named Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year this week.

“Their quarterback’s good, their defense is good,” Ray said. “They’re good. We’re good. If either of these teams weren’t good, they wouldn’t still be playing.”

The Bluebirds have five players with more than 200 rushing yards to complement their passing attack, and their defense has given up 12 points per game.

“They’re very balanced with what they want to do, and they’re very physical on both sides of the ball,” Schlosser said. “Defensively, they’re very aggressive. They’re not just overpowering size-wise, but they’re very strong and very quick.

“We’ve got to be able to sustain blocks and get first downs. When the opportunity presents itself to score, we’re going to have to get those points.”

Franklin-Simpson reached Saturday’s championship with a comeback win over Collins last week. The Wildcats fell into an early 9-0 hole and needed a touchdown with five minutes remaining to pull out the victory.

FSHS sealed the win with its bread and butter - a strong defense and running game. Senior running back/defensive back Jerrell Wickware intercepted Collins’ final effort, and his cousin, senior running back Darrius Wickware, rushed for 187 yards on 30 carries.

Darrius Wickware has 1,852 rushing yards and 28 scores this season. Jerrell Wickware has 14 total scores, and the Wildcats average 39 points per contest.

“Everybody knows what Highlands is capable of,” Bennett said. “I don’t really think Highlands knows what we’re capable of.”

After Saturday, the Wildcats will have had their time in the spotlight. Schlosser expects them to be right at home, he said.

“I would be surprised if this bunch was intimidated or in awe of the situation,” he said. “They don’t get wrapped up in all that. Hopefully we’ll keep our focus and be ready to play.”


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