By Gary Hauf
This is the second ever meeting between Bedford and Franklin
on the football field. Bedford, coming off a 55-21 thumping of Crestwood,
holds an overall playoff record of 8-8 and have made the playoffs 7 of the last
10 seasons. Franklin, fresh off a victory over Wyandotte, have made the
playoffs the past 4 seasons and hold an overall playoff record of 14-8.
Temperance Bedford Kicking Mules(3-2 SEC RED, 6-4
overall)
Bedford, under the tutelage of Jeff Wood, have built an
excellent program behind a strong running game. The Mules average 35.8 PPG,
almost all on the ground.
Bedford on offense will rely on:
Junior RB, Christian Brown(5’10” 165) 1,439
yards on 205 carries 20 TD
Senior QB Austin Malabanan(5’10” 160 lbs) 868
yards on 120 carries 12TD
Senior RB Anthony Pasanti 505 yards on 70
carries 10 TD
Up front for the Mules:
Junior G Zachary Davis(6’0″ 240lbs)
Senior T Alex Salzmann
Junior G Jake Martin(5’11” 240lbs)
Senior C Cade Nelson(6’1″ 225lbs)
Senior T Griffin Geiger
Defensively, giving up 26.1 PPG, leading the Mules are:
Senior LB Wade Johnson(5’11” 170lbs) 83 tackles
Senior Hayden Mangar 67 tackles
Sophomore Luke Carver(5’10” 160lbs) 27 tackles,
6 pass break ups
Bedford is 1-2 vs 1-3 vs playoff teams and is fronted by
Head Coach Jeff Wood.
Livonia Franklin Patriots(4-3 KLAA, 6-4 overall)
Franklin, has built a nice program under Head
Coach Christopher Kelbert. Mixing both run and pass
effectively, the Patriots average 31.8 PPG and give up 24 per contest.
leaders on offense:
Junior QB Jake Kelbert(5’11” 183lbs) 92-164,
1440 yards passing 19TD 4 INT. 732 yards on 104 carries 8 TD.
Senior RB Julius Simmons(6’0″ 190lbs) 513 yards
on 100 carries 5 TD
Senior Fredrick Byles(5’11” 170lbs) 458 yards on
23 receptions 6 TD
Up front for the Patriots:
Sophomore T Kyle Fugedi(6’6″ 240lbs)
Sophomore G Aaron Mass
Senior C Brendan Churgin(5’10” 205lbs)
Juniior G Jake Swriple(6’1″ 270lbs)
Senior T Mike Pesavento(6’6″ 265lbs)
Defensive standouts include:
Evan Pettinger LB 61 tackles 1 FR
Senior DE Arsell Weary(6’1″ 210lbs) 41 tackles
14 TFL
Senior DE Ethan Cooper(6’1″ 190lbs) 47 tackles 5
TFL
Franklin is 1-3 vs playoff teams and is lead by Head Coach
Christopher kelbert.
Both teams made it in the playoffs as an at large at 5-4 but
are currently playing good ball. Franklin made it to Ford Field last year
taking a runner-up finish in D2. Bedford has reeled off 4 in a row, make
it 5 in a row, in a nail biter.
Chris’ Pick: Franklin 34 Bedford 24
Gary’s pick: Bedford 30 Franklin 28
Frank’s Pick: Franklin 28 Bedford 24