Franklin County 14 - Clover Hill 0

[FCEagle90]

The mud pit in Rocky Mount worked to great advantage for Franklin County on Friday night, the game may have played out differently on a turf field.
Keys to the game:

• Time of possession was HUGE for FC, don't know the official numbers but at least 2 to 1 in Eagles favor. Coach Edwards sent the plays in with just enough time to beat the 25 second clock. The ball was never snapped with more than 5 seconds on play clock all night long!
• Eagles defense was stout. Chris Houston only had one run of more than 10 yards that I can recall. I had this nagging feeling that he was going to pop one, but it never happened. Eagles kept the Clover Hill receivers covered up all night long and intercepted 3 Cavaliers passes.
• Eagles won the field position game and the turnover game, Franklin County QB threw two picks but they didn't hurt the Eagles.
• Congratulations to Coach J.R. Edwards on his first playoff win as Head Coach of Franklin County. Only two coaches have won playoff games in the history of Franklin County program: Chris Jones and J.R. Edwards.

One question for Clover Hill people, is the spread offense usually effective for you? The quarterbacks didn't seem to have strong arms and the receivers could not get open all night. I kept wondering why they were passing the ball so much. Houston scared me much more than when the qb dropped back to pass.

 

[FCEagle90]

Article from Roanoke Times:https://www.roanoke.com/sports/high...ource=infinity-scroll-summary-siderail-latest

 

[mbonape1]

The mud pit in Rocky Mount worked to great advantage for Franklin County on Friday night, the game may have played out differently on a turf field.
Keys to the game:

• Time of possession was HUGE for FC, don't know the official numbers but at least 2 to 1 in Eagles favor. Coach Edwards sent the plays in with just enough time to beat the 25 second clock. The ball was never snapped with more than 5 seconds on play clock all night long!
• Eagles defense was stout. Chris Houston only had one run of more than 10 yards that I can recall. I had this nagging feeling that he was going to pop one, but it never happened. Eagles kept the Clover Hill receivers covered up all night long and intercepted 3 Cavaliers passes.
• Eagles won the field position game and the turnover game, Franklin County QB threw two picks but they didn't hurt the Eagles.
• Congratulations to Coach J.R. Edwards on his first playoff win as Head Coach of Franklin County. Only two coaches have won playoff games in the history of Franklin County program: Chris Jones and J.R. Edwards.

One question for Clover Hill people, is the spread offense usually effective for you? The quarterbacks didn't seem to have strong arms and the receivers could not get open all night. I kept wondering why they were passing the ball so much. Houston scared me much more than when the qb dropped back to pass.

You have a point... but it is very hard to execute the spread in those conditions. That certainly hurts CH. It is what they know, so it is hard to just pivot in real time especially against another playoff caliber team. Nice win for Franklin. Clover Hill was a middle of the pack team around our way. I assume you play Colonial Forge next game. I am sure you realize the task in front of you. Good luck against that bunch.

 

[FCEagle90]

You have a point... but it is very hard to execute the spread in those conditions. That certainly hurts CH. It is what they know, so it is hard to just pivot in real time especially against another playoff caliber team. Nice win for Franklin. Clover Hill was a middle of the pack team around our way. I assume you play Colonial Forge next game. I am sure you realize the task in front of you. Good luck against that bunch.

According to the VHSL game simulator Colonial Forge is favored to win against Franklin County 92% of the time. Here is what I can tell you about Franklin County as they prepare for Colonial Forge:

1. Coach J.R. Edwards and staff will have a game plan ready, will the players be able to execute it?
2. Franklin County will play defense, they have two shutouts in a row. This week the challenge will be to keep CF under 30.
3. Franklin County will try to establish the run. Running the ball uses clock, don't look for the ball to be snapped until under 5 seconds on playclock. Although if Coach Edwards wanted to shock people he could try to go up tempo.
4. Franklin County needs to hit at least 2 big plays. QB Shane Grindstaff has the arm to air the ball out. Had a receiver open in first quarter against Clover Hill but over threw him by about a yard. FC must connect on the big plays when they are open to have any chance. Go FCHS!

 

[cockadoodledude]

According to the VHSL game simulator Colonial Forge is favored to win against Franklin County 92% of the time. Here is what I can tell you about Franklin County as they prepare for Colonial Forge:

1. Coach J.R. Edwards and staff will have a game plan ready, will the players be able to execute it?
2. Franklin County will play defense, they have two shutouts in a row. This week the challenge will be to keep CF under 30.
3. Franklin County will try to establish the run. Running the ball uses clock, don't look for the ball to be snapped until under 5 seconds on playclock. Although if Coach Edwards wanted to shock people he could try to go up tempo.
4. Franklin County needs to hit at least 2 big plays. QB Shane Grindstaff has the arm to air the ball out. Had a receiver open in first quarter against Clover Hill but over threw him by about a yard. FC must connect on the big plays when they are open to have any chance. Go FCHS!

I've seen every Forge game this season. CF 35 Franklin County 0. Write it down.

 

[FCEagle82]

CF has averaged 36 points a game this season so they obviously have a productive offense, and they play a little defense too...the shutout of Massaponax pretty impressive. If FC can put together some lengthy time consuming drives and keep the CF offense off the field they could make a game of it. FC is on one helluva streak after starting 0-3 by winning 7 of their last 8. CF had better not take them lightly or overlook them thinking about who they'll be playing next...or they may be sitting home next Friday night!
Reminds me of another matchup between these two teams in 2009... FC stunned an undefeated CF team in a game no one expected Franklin County to win with a last second field goal. THE most exciting high school football I ever witnessed in 40 years of watching high school football. Would love to see a repeat, but I know what kind of program FC is up against.

 

[falcettik]

CF has averaged 36 points a game this season so they obviously have a productive offense, and they play a little defense too...the shutout of Massaponax pretty impressive. If FC can put together some lengthy time consuming drives and keep the CF offense off the field they could make a game of it. FC is on one helluva streak after starting 0-3 by winning 7 of their last 8. CF had better not take them lightly or overlook them thinking about who they'll be playing next...or they may be sitting home next Friday night!
Reminds me of another matchup between these two teams in 2009... FC stunned an undefeated CF team in a game no one expected Franklin County to win with a last second field goal. THE most exciting high school football I ever witnessed in 40 years of watching high school football. Would love to see a repeat, but I know what kind of program FC is up against.

Love your enthusiasm, FCEagle82, but this won't be close. CF is an a different level than FC.

 

[FCEagle82]

Oh I don't doubt that falcettik...like I said I know what kind of program CF is...nothing but respect. To run through a schedule like theirs 10-0 is pretty incredible. If FC can keep the game in front of them and not get overwhelmed early...who knows? That's why they line up and play the game man! A crucial stop here, a turnover or two there can make the difference. And it's always dangerous to play a team on a hot streak that's playing with a lot of confidence...and that's FC right now. We will see...