Franklin 34, Ohio Wesleyan 33

Sept. 4, 2004

Junior quarterback Ryan Sir Louis (Hinckley/Highland) broke loose on an 85-yard TD run to bring the Bishops within 34-33 midway through the fourth quarter, but the game-tying conversion failed and Franklin held on to nip Ohio Wesleyan in the season opener for both teams on Saturday in Franklin, Ind.

Ohio Wesleyan jumped to an early lead after Franklin's Lance Pickrell fumbled the opening kickoff and the Bishops recovered on the Grizzly 41-yard line.

From there, Ohio Wesleyan drove the 41 yards in just 4 plays, with sophomore halfback Nick Rice (Dublin/Scioto) going over from 5 yards out to put the Bishops on the scoreboard.

The Bishops extended their lead to 14-0 later in the first quarter on an 11-yard run by senior fullback Nathanael Jonhenry (Berea), capping another 41-yard, 4-play drive.

Franklin answered with a 68-yard drive in a span of 1:45 to close to within 14-7 in the last minute of the first quarter. Ty Fritz connected with Joliba Brogan for 17 yards to put the Grizzlies on the scoreboard.

Not to be outdone, the Bishops took the ensuing kickoff and marched 77 yards in 11 plays, with senior halfback Eric Indiciani (Delaware/Olentangy) covering the last 4 yards to make the score 20-7 with 10:07 left in the first quarter. Junior Jason Whitcomb (Wauseon) had his extra point attempt blocked, leaving the score 20-7.

The Grizzlies then assembled another rapid scoring drive, covering 60 yards in 8 plays in a total of 1:49, closing to within 20-13 on Fritz's 5-yard pass to Luis Galeano. Franklin went for 2 points but the Bishops stopped Devin Lepinski short of the goal line to hold the score at 20-13.

On its first possession of the second half, Franklin drove 65 yards in 8 plays, capped by Fritz' 44-yard pass to Lipinski, and Kenny Jordan's point after tied the game at 20-20.

Sir Louis then led the Bishops on a 75-yard scoring march as Ohio Wesleyan took back the lead. Sir Louis went over from 3 yards out and Whitcomb's PAT gave the Bishops a 27-20 lead with 3:39 left in the third quarter.

Franklin came back with a drive of 63 yards in 7 plays to tie the game at 27-27 with 1:12 left in the period. Brogan's 5-yard run finished off the drive.

Mike Perkins then scored from 2 yards out on Franklin's next possession, giving the Grizzlies a 34-27 lead with 13:05 left in regulation time.

After a Bishop punt, the Grizzlies got the ball back and drove to the Ohio Wesleyan 1-yard line, but Perkins fumbled and freshman defensive back Patrick Trenor (Urbana) recovered for Ohio Wesleyan.

Indiciani ran twice for a first down, then Sir Louis broke loose on an 85-yard gallop that brought the Bishops within 34-33. Whitcomb's point after attempt failed, however, leaving Ohio Wesleyan behind by a point, and the Bishops did not threaten again.

Sir Louis led the Bishops with 123 yards in 13 rushes and completed 9 of 17 passes for 103 yards. Indiciani finished with 102 yards on 17 carries. Freshman fullback Mike Schleiden (Canton/Massillon Perry) had a team-high 3 receptions for 63 yards.

For Franklin, Fritz completed 19 of 30 passes for 243 yards and 3 TDs, with Brogan making 7 catches for 96 yards. Brogan also led the Grizzlies with 44 yards in 9 rushes.

Defensive standouts for the Bishops included Trenor, who shared the team lead with 6 stops, broke up a pass and recovered a fumble; junior linebacker Jeff King (Sidney), who had 6 tackles, including a sack; sophomore linebacker Owen Case (Marion/River Valley), who made 6 stops, including a sack, and recovered a fumble; sophomore defensive back Kyle Sherman (Plain City/Dublin Scioto), who picked off 2 passes, caused a fumble and added 5 tackles; senior tackle Stephen Greene (Mansfield/Senior), whose 5 tackles included a sack; and junior defensive end Cisco Clervoix (Naples, Fla.), who had 5 stops, including a tackle for loss.

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