Both teams line up for play.

 

ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The top two teams in the Delta League faced off for the league championship Oct. 30. Up-and-coming Franklin High School played Monterey Trail High School, an established winner. Over the past two years Franklin has flipped around its football program from a low-finishing team in the Delta League to a top one.

This year Franklin gave itself a chance to do something it has yet to do in more than a decade: win a league championship. The last time they accomplished that was in the 2012-2013 season.

Monterey Trail, on the other hand, has been building a powerhouse program in the Sacramento area, remaining unbeaten in the league since the 2017-2018 season and looking to keep that streak going.

Captains watch the coin flip.

Franklin came into the game with a 7-2 overall record and a league record of 5-0. They were riding a six-game win streak, after beating Pleasant Grove High School 37-0.

Similarly, Monterey Trail was 7-1 on the season and undefeated in league play at 5-0, holding on to a seven-game win streak of their own. They were coming off an impressive 37-29 victory against Rocklin High School

Monterey Trail kicked off to open the game, and Franklin showed they could compete, taking the kick-off all the way to the endzone. A penalty, however, called the play back.

After settling down after the penalty, Franklin’s offense was able to find a rhythm. Quarterback Braylon Robinson found receiver Julian Riley on the first drive of the game for the first points.

Once Monterey Trail got the ball back though, they ran their triple-option offense to perfection. They drove the ball right back down the field and answered with their own touchdown as Nigel Flowers rushed for a score. But the kicker missed the extra point attempt, giving Franklin the lead 7-6.

After the electric start from both teams, each defense stepped up. Each team traded possessions through the rest of the first quarter.

As the second quarter started, Franklin was able to strike quick as Robinson found No. 7 Kingston Sablan deep downfield. That set up running back Mason Towne for a rushing score.

And just like the first quarter, Monterey Trail answered with a touchdown of their own. Quarterback Viliami Kefu broke away for a 60-yard touchdown run and the team converted a two-point play to tie the game at 14.      

No. 3 Jovan Harper returns the opening kickoff.

With more than half of the second quarter gone, Franklin completely switched the momentum of the game in their favor.

This time Robinson connected with receiver Javon Harper for his second touchdown pass of the game to retake the lead. Then the defense stepped up and forced Monterey Trail to give the ball back with roughly 40 seconds left in the half.

And without missing a beat, Robinson yet again found Sablan deep downfield, this time for a touchdown. That gave Franklin a 28-14 lead right before halftime.

As the second half began, Monterey Trail started with the ball, looking to quickly cut the lead. But Franklin did not waver and forced a punt to give the ball back to their offense.

It seemed that Franklin was going to pick up where they left off, but Monterey Trail was able to force a turnover to get the ball back. Momentum of the game continued to switch back and forth as both teams continued to force turnovers.

Franklin found its rhythm again, as Robinson started to deliver the ball all over the field. Marching the ball downfield, Robinson found Caden Bowers for his fourth touchdown pass of the game, extending the lead to 36-14.         

With just two minutes left in the third quarter, Monterey Trail was looking for a score. They started to drive down field, but a turnover right before the end of the quarter shut down their hopes.

Franklin went on to score ten points in the fourth quarter, winning 46-14.  

And for the first time in over a decade, the Franklin High School Wildcats are league champions.