FRANKFORT, Ind – Frankfort entered Friday’s homecoming game against Western Boone with a two-game win streak and knew they would have a big task going for a third.
The Stars are the 2A back-to-back state champions, and the Hot Dogs showed in the opening series they were ready for the challenge.
The Dogs’ defense held on a third-and-goal and forced a 28-yard field goal attempt. When the ball snapped, linebacker Brenton Wood forced his way into the backfield and blocked the attempt. The live-ball was scooped up by Ramsey Mitchell and returned to the 40-yard line.
“Overall, defensively we played outstanding,” Frankfort head coach James Byers said. “I was really proud the way our guys responded – they struggled a little last week and they came back and had an outstanding week of practice all week.”
The Stars’ defense was equally ready. Frankfort came in averaging 31-points on 405-yards of offense per game, 126-yards in passing, and 279-yards in rushing.
Western Boone shut the FHS rushing game down, allowing only 91-yards. The Dogs’ go-to rusher, Riley Goodnight, was held to 17-yards for the game. Goodnight entered the contest averaging 166-yards per game. Quarterback Sam Michael ran for 74-yards for the game.
While yardage from the ground was tough to come by, Michael did find success from the air by connecting on 10-of-18 attempts for 106-yards. The yards did not come easy as Western Boone applied pressure coming away with five sacks.
“Our offensive line has a few things to clean-up – the holds and things like that,” Byers said. “We got to take care of that, those things cannot happen up front – those are being detail-oriented.
“When [Michael] settles in and throws the ball quick, he is dynamic. So, he’s just got to get back into that rhythm that he’s established the last few weeks.”
Jade Ayers led the receivers with four receptions for 49-yards. Kyle Earl added four for 38-yards and Goodnight had two for 19-yards.
Defensively, the Hot Dogs found themselves having to defend the short field while Western Boone showcased its duo of powerful running backs, Robby Taylor and Luke Marsh. The two combined for 184 of the 220 yards of rushing. Marsh scored in the third quarter on a 17-yard run.
By the games’ end, the Stars offense found the end zone a total of five times as well as adding a 40-yard field goal to end the Dogs’ win streak, 37-0. The Dogs go to 3-3 on the season and 1-2 in conference action. Western Boone improves to 3-3, 2-1.
Coach Byers addressed whether the Stars’ size and physicality had a determination on the outcome of the game.
“No, they’re a good offense and they’re going to score points. That’s the nature of the beast – shuttin’ people out doesn’t happen much anymore especially with a back like [Marsh] and a back like [Taylor],” responded Byers. “They are really good players. We gave up 37 cause we had a short field a couple of times – it’s tough to defend from [your own end].”
Gabe Chavez and Vlad Carreas Lantigua led the Dogs’ defense with 21 tackles and 18 tackles, respectively. Wood added 16 tackles.
The Hot Dogs travel Friday to take on Danville – a team coach Byers calls “outstanding.” Danville is undefeated at 4-0 with its most recent win over Southmont, 35-7.
Scoring Summary
STARS 37, HOT DOGS 0
Western Boone;12;14;8;0;-;37
Frankfort;0;0;0;0;-;0
Scoring Summary
1st Qtr (3:19) Western Boone. Mitch Miller 7-yard run. Josiah Smith extra point kick good. 7-0.
2nd Qtr (6:16) Western Boone. Elliot Young 2-yard run. Josiah Smith extra point kick good. 14-0.
2nd Qtr (0:00) Western Boone. Josiah Smith 40-yard field goal good. 17-0.
3rd Qtr (5:09) Western Boone. Luke Marsh 17-yard run. Two-point conversation failed. 23-0.
4th Qtr (8:25) Western Boone. Elliot Young 3-yard run. Josiah Smith extra point kick good. 30-0.
4th Qtr (1:59) Western Boone. Connor Garrity 15-yard pass from Elliot Young. Josiah Smith extra point kick good. 37-0.
