District 11-3A Division I

FRANKLIN LIONS Confidentreturnersreadytoreload

Lionslostbiggraduatingclassbuthaveveteranleadersinplacetoleadin2019

By MARIA MCILWAIN maria.mcilwain@theeagle.com

After 42 years of coaching, Franklin head football coach Mike Hedrick has been through this before.

The Lions graduated eight defensive starters, including Northwestern State defensive back Jared Pedraza and second-team all-state linebacker Will Fannin. Franklin also lost key players offensively, including first-team all-state fullback Clayton Rosprim.

“We’re going to rebuild,” Hedrick said. “We’re going to take the kids that we’ve got, the kids that want to play, and we feel like we’ll do well with these kids.”

Datron Dixon is one of them.

The seniorrunningback and free safety took on a bigger leadership role this summer and led the other defensive backs through offseason drills. All of them play both ways, so Dixonhadthemrunningin parachutes to weigh them downandworkingthrough drills to improve footwork as they prepare for bigger roles.

“Yeah, they’re younger, but they can fly around,” Dixon said. “They have experience, so not a lot of people are going to be able to throw the ball [against us].”

Cody Duewall, a thirdteam all-state pick, will help lead the offensive and defensive lines, while Seth Spillerreturns at halfback, andCJSmithwilllineupat fullback. Like Dixon, Duewall said he is pleased with

ROSTER

2 K Julio Bribescas, 5-8, 145, sr.; 3 TE/DT Charlie Scarpinato, 5-11, 200, soph.; 4 TB/C Datron Dixon, 5-10, 165, sr.; 5 QB/C Marcus Wade, 6-1, 160, soph.; 6 QE/C Zach Davis, 6-1, 150, sr.; 7 HB/SS Seth Shamblin, 5-9, 145, soph.; 8 TB/C Richard Muhumuza, 5-11, 160, sr.; 11 TB/C Nick Hrncir, 5-8, 150, jr.; 12 FB/LB Bobby Washington, 5-9, 150, soph.; 15 TB/FS Bryson Washington, 5-0, 165, fr.; 16 HB/SS Devin Barnes, 5-8, 150, jr.; 20 TB/C Justin Carrier, 5-10, 160, jr.; 24 TB/C Malcolm Murphy, 5-10, 165, soph.; 25 FB/LB CJ Smith, 5-10, 170, sr.; 30 HB/LB Mason Banister, 5-10, 165, sr.; 31 QE/SS Haze Tomascik, 6-0, 160, soph.; 32 TB/LB Felix Rojas, 5-10, 170, sr.; 33 HB/SS Seth Spiller, 6-1, 170, jr.; 34 FB/DE Ashton Ferguson, 5-11, 185, jr.; 44 FB/LB Kade Hebert, 5-10, 165, jr.; 50 OL/DT Trey Corn, 5-10, 290, jr.; 51 OL/DT Tyler Evans, 5-6, 150, sr.; 52 OL/DE Cody Owens, 5-10, 180, soph.; 54 OL/DE Keegan Wilson, 6-1, 215, jr.; 55 OL/LB Kobe Lebreche, 5-10, 210, sr.; 60 OL/DT Joseph Vega, 5-11, 210, jr.; 62 OL/DT Isaac Suarez, 5-10, 200, sr.; 70 OL/DE Russell Stegall, 6-0, 185, soph.; 77 OL/DL Cody Duewall, 6-2, 250, sr.; 80 TE/DE Anthony Czech, 5-11, 180, sr.; 81 QE/SS James Little, 5-10, 175, sr.; 82 TE/DE Asher Ward, 6-2, 170, sr. Coaches: head coach Mike Hedrick, Mark Fannin, Will Hedrick, Joe Hedrick, Matthew Anderson, Don Miller, Terry Maxwell, Jake Russ, Daniel Brewer, Zack Lierman, Jesse Rowell, William Bruns Manager: Devante Cain Trainer: Daniel Anderson

the effort the underclassmen have shown.

“We’ve got a lot of younger guys,” Duewall said. “I need to show them the ro pes and take them under my wing and show SMITH them what to do.” Hedrick and his staff aren’t makingany“earth-shattering” changes to the offensive or defensive schemes, but he hopes to see some younger players grow into their roles. Dixon said he is confident that will happen, especially among his fellow defensive backs. So far, he said he’s been proud of sophomores Malcolm Murphy and Marcus Wade, freshman Bryson Washington and senior James Little for improving their skills.

Last season ended in the

SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time Aug. 30 Hearne 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: W50-6 Sept. 6 at Lorena 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: L 30-20 Sept. 13 Mart 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: W21-0

District 11-3A Division I Sept. 27 Coldspring-Oakhurst 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: W61-0 Oct. 4 at Elkhart 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: W48-0 Oct. 11 Palestine Westwood* 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: W78-0 Oct. 25 at Trinity 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: W75-0 Nov. 1 Diboll 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: W34-20 Nov. 8 at Crockett 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: W73-28 *Homecoming

regionalroundof the playoffs with a tough 24-21 loss to the e ventual Clas s 3 A D ivision I champion Grandview, and Hedrick knows LITTLE the k ey to g etting back to that point or further starts in

FACTS

Head coach — Mike Hedrick (300-159-11 overall; 122-36 at Franklin) District — 11-3A Division I 2018 record — 10-2 (6-0 in 11-3A Division I) 2018 playoffs — bi district: def. Hardin 43-0; area: def. Troy 34-7; regional: lost to Grandview 24-21 Playoffappearances (31) — 1951, 1953, 1955, 1961, 1965, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1977-79, 1883- 84, 1986, 1988, 1996-98, 2003, 2007-18 Returning lettermen — 16 (6 offensive, 3 defensive starters) Key returners — RB/DB Datron Dixon (11-3A D1 A-D), OL/DL Cody Duewall (A-D) Key losses — RB/DB Jared Pedraza (MVP), LB Will Fannin (Def. MVP), RB Clayton Rosprim (Off. MVP), QB Colton Ortner (A-D), OL/DL Kolbe Watkins (A-D), OL Colton Rosprim (A-D), DL Legrand Stegall (A-D), DL Ryan Davis (A-D), RB/DB Ethan Spiller (A-D) RB/DB Avery Archibald (A-D), DB Blake Leamon (2nd A-D), DB Jacob Cook (2nd A-D), DL Cade Stewart (HM A-D) All-time record — 570-374-37 Playoffrecord — 34-30-1

district play. Franklin, which went 10-2 last season, outscored its District 11-3A Division I opponents 369-48 last season, a run that featured four straight shutouts. In fact, the Lions didn’t allow a point from Sept. 14 to Oct. 25 counting a 21-0 victory over eventual 2A-II state champion Mart to end nondistrict play.

A streak like that might be more difficult this season, but Duewall and Dixon say they excited about the team’s overall speed. Franklin will open the seasonathomeagainstHearne at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie Franklin offensive lineman CodyDuewall,left,again will blockfordynamic tailback Datron Dixon this season.

“We’ve got key kids back that played real well last year, and I think if we get the leadership out of those younger guys, then I think the other guys will buy in, and I think we’ll be OK,” Hedrick said.

Checking in at No. 9 in Texas Football’s 3A-I rankings potentially puts a target on the Lions’ backs, but Hedricklikesthechallenge, and Dixon said he is ready to let his game do the talking.

“It maybe puts a little pressure on you, but it’s going to put some pressure on the kids,” Hedrick said. “We’ve got to go out and prove ourselves.”