Franklin Claims Victory Bell: Heads to Otterbein for Playoff Opener
November 16, 2008
NCAA Division III Football Bracket
FRANKLIN , IN - Franklin (9-1, 7-0 HCAC) shut out arch rival Hanover (2-7, 2-5 HCAC) 34-0 on Senior Day to keep the Victory Bell trophy for one more season. The Grizzlies finished the regular season with a 9-1 overall record for the third straight year and will take part in the NCAA Division III football playoffs next weekend at Otterbein.
The Franklin offense eclipsed 550 yards on the day and limited the visiting Panthers to 241 yards of offense. Freshman running back Nick Mongan (Greenwood , Ind. /Center Grove) rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries to lead the Grizzlies rushing attack. FC rushed for a season-high 337 yards against Hanover , while the defense limited the Panthers to only one yard on the ground.
Senior quarterback Chad Rupp (Evansville, Ind. /Memorial) finished his final game in front of the home fans, completing 12 passes for 214 yards and four touchdowns.
Hanover failed to establish a rushing game against the Grizzlies, but finished with 240 yards through the air. Freshman quarterback Nick Sharp (Indianapolis, Ind. /Franklin Central) completed 27 of his 51 passes for 240 yards and two interceptions. Tyler Thiems (Indianapolis, Ind. /North Central) finished his career in a Hanover uniform with 11 catches for 94 yards.
The blue and gold will look to earn the school's first ever postseason victory next Saturday at Otterbein. The Cardinals (9-1, 8-1 OAC) finished second in the Ohio Athletic Conference behind No. 1 ranked Mount Union .
The Grizzlies and Cardinals will kickoff at Noon Saturday with the winner taking on North Central ( Ill. ) or Thomas More ( Ky. ).
In other HCAC action.
Anderson (5-5, 4-3 HCAC) fell to rival Manchester (5-5, 3-4 HCAC) 35-14 in the annual Bronze Ball game. The Ravens' loss snapped an eight-game win streak over the Spartans. Manchester took advantage of six Anderson turnovers on the afternoon, totaling over 500 yards of offense in the season finale. Junior running back Brandon Wells (Woodburn, Ind. /Woodlan) rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries, while quarterback Caleb Grimes (South Haven, Mich./H.S.) added 87 yards rushing on 11 carries. Grimes also completed 21 of his 27 passes for 262 yards and four touchdowns. Jared Yoder (Frankfort, Ind. /Carroll) ended his career in a Manchester uniform with three catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Anderson 's offense was led by sophomore running back Darryl Stott (Union City, Ind. /H.S.) . Stott became the fourth back in Anderson history to surpass the 1,000 yard mark in a single season, rushing for 143 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. The sophomore finished the year with 1,077 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Defiance (4-6, 4-3 HCAC) posted four straight wins to close out the 2008 season, claiming a 27-13 win over rival Bluffton (1-9, 0-7 HCAC). The two teams battled through wet and sloppy conditions as a heavy snow covered the field through the majority of the game. Both squads struggled throwing the football, totaling just 52 yards and four completions through the air. Senior running back Lewis Caralla (Tampa, Fla. / East Lake ) scored the game's first two touchdowns, including a 51 yard scamper on the second play from scrimmage. Caralla ended his senior season with 103 yards and two scores against the Beavers. Senior defensive back Keith Snyder (Martin , Mich. /H.S.) picked off a Derek Dunlap (St. Mary's, Ohio/Memorial ) pass and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter of play to complete the Yellow Jackets scoring. Freshman running back Jason Johnson (Lansing, Mich. /Eastern) paced the Bluffton rushing game with 46 yards on 13 carries.
Mount St. Joseph (5-5, 3-4 HCAC) ended its season with a 19-0 loss in the annual Bridge Bowl game with Thomas More. The Lions offense struggled all afternoon, managing only 80 total yards against the Saints defense and converted only 1 of their 12 third down chances. Thomas More had little trouble moving the football, amassing 454 yards against the Lions defense. MSJ quarterback Vince Palmer (Cincinnati , Ohio / Anderson ) ended his career, completing 10 of his 23 passes for 70 yards. Sophomore running back Jake Davis (Cincinnati , Ohio / Anderson ) totaled 42 yards on 12 carries to pace the ground game. Trevor Stellman conducted the Thomas More offense, completing 19 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown.