Preview: Piqua at Franklin

It’s a Week 3 battle with huge implications In the Division III, Region 12 playoff picture. The U.S. Marines Battle of the Gridiron Series parks it in in Franklin. The host Wildcats look to remain unbeaten while visiting Piqua looks to shake off the cobwebs of last Friday’s loss to Trotwood-Madison. The winner draws a big advantage in the quest for a Division III postseason berth.

Franklin RB Ryan Montgomery (photo from http://franklinwildcatfootball.com)

For Franklin a win will keep them in the upper tier of Region 12 teams vying for playoff spots. A Piqua victory is redemption for last weeks defeat and it will keep the Indians alive and well in the postseason hunt. Everything will be left on the field by the time this affair concludes.

PIQUA INDIANS (1-1) at FRANKLIN WILDCATS (2-0)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m – Veterans Memorial Field at Atrium Stadium
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: Hopes are high for Piqua as they return some very accomplished players. Heading that list is 2015 GWOC North Offensive Player of the Year, Darien Tipps-Clemons. The Michigan State-bound senior has more 2,500 yards rushing at the varsity level. The bruising style of 237 pound classmate RB/LB Allen Schrubb shows Indians foes no mercy when they run the ball. Schrubb currently leads the team with 167 yards and 9.8 yards per carry average to go along with two touchdowns. Up front junior OL Ben Bynum blows open big holes for those backs.

On defense TE/DL Nathan Monnin, OL/DL Derek Hite and OL/DL Tristen Cox anchor the line. Cox was a First Team All-Southwest District selection and Monnin was a Second Team All-Southwest District member a year ago. The back seven are paced by RB/LB Ben Schmiesing, S Dylan Cole and DB Hunter Hawk. Cole, Bynum and Hite were First Team All-GWOC North performers in ’15.

A three-headed monster roams the backfield for Franklin as RB Bailee Moore along with juniors QB/RB Ryan Montgomery and QB Braden White. The trio has accounted for all of the Wildcats rushing and passing yards. They have done so with balance. Montgomery has 166 yards passing and 160 more rushing. Moore has 158 yards (two less than Montgomery) on the ground while White has thrown for 167 yards (one more than Montgomery). Ironically it’s WR/DB Noah Kremer who shares the team lead in touchdowns with three (tied with Montgomery) on his five receptions.

Franklin is very athletic on defense and can really bring the heat. The Wildcats have 14 sacks including four by LB Ryan Knipper. Behind Knipper are LB Matt Centers and DE Gavin Etter with two sacks each. The odd thing about the barrage of quarterback takedowns is that it has led to just one turnover, an interception by Kremer. Expect that to change as DB Trenten Scott and the rest of the secondary begin capitalizing on miscues as the season wears on.

Franklin’s Atrium Stadium

TEAM TRENDS: Piqua hasn’t won three games in a row during a season since ‘11. The Indians won their final three contests that year. Over last 12 campaigns Piqua has started 1-1, 11 times. They went 2-0 in ’14. It is a tradition rich program at Piqua with 11 playoff appearances including a state championship in ’06, a state runner-up season in ’00 and four other state semifinal appearances, all since ’90.

In 23 games between the ’12 and ’13 Franklin scored 30 or more points on 16 occasions. In the 22 tilts since, the Wildcats have hit the 30-point mark just twice. Franklin is looking for its 10th playoff berth and first since ’13. The Wildcats are 4-9 all-time in the playoffs.

PIQUA’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Staying out of third down and long situations is a must. The Indians were 1-14 on third and fourth down conversions in last week’s loss to Trotwood-Madison. The ground games is Piqua’s bread and butter but if they can’t keep the chains moving it is going to be a long night. The o-line has to step it up another notch. The Indians defense can’t wilt during the second half.

FRANKLIN’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Jumping out to a lead and then building upon that will put Piqua behind the eight ball. Making the Indians throw the ball will take them out of their comfort zone. The Wildcats have proven that they have the grit and gumption to win close games. It’s those character traits that are in Franklin’s favor.

Prediction: FRANKLIN 24, PIQUA 20

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