Turner throws for 2 TDs to lead Indians to victory
Franklin holds off late charge to extend winning streak over Millers to six
Franklin extended its winning streak over visiting Baltimore County rival Milford Mill to six straight games. It just was a bit tougher than in past years.
Quarterback Joshua Turner threw two touchdown passes and ran for an additional score as No. 11 Franklin held off a late charge from No. 9 Milford Mill in a 24-20 victory Friday night.
The Indians (4-1) rolled to a 40-0 win over Milford Mill (5-1) last year, but the Millers kept it closer this time. Milford Mill was able to move the ball at times but couldn’t make the big plays, and the Millers made mistakes at the wrong times.
Franklin, however, kept everything going throughout the game after a slow start. The Indians, who returned no starters on offense from last year’s playoff team, impressed coach Anthony Burgos with the way they grew in this game.
“I think it was a great maturing process,” Burgos said. “We’re a young team.”
Turner completed 10 of 19 passes for 199 yards, and ran for a 2-yard touchdown with 2:32 left that gave Franklin a 24-12 lead.
Milford Mill added one more score after that, but the Indians got the ball back after a failed onside kick and ran out the clock.
“Our defense has been the strength of the team. ... They’re [working] to keep us in the game,” Turner said. “When we got the chance [on offense], we made something happen.”
The Millers turned the ball over three times, got called for several penalties and fumbled some snaps. They were right in the game, but the miscues hurt.
“[We made] mistakes, and they came back to bite us a couple of times,” Millers coach Reggie White said.
Milford Mill quarterback Kyrel Eley played well but got picked off once in the end zone and once at the 1-yard line.
Both teams moved the ball at times in the first half but kept running into trouble, and the drives often stalled. Still, the Indians did enough for a17-6 halftime lead.
Franklin had more problems moving the ball on the first few drives. But after Milford Mill took an early lead, the Indians scored 17 consecutive points for that halftime advantage.
Milford Mill took advantage of an early Franklin turnover to take the lead in the first quarter. Eley threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Ugo Obasi that put Milford Mill on top 6-0 with 4:08 left.
The touchdown came after an interception by Shamar Harrison and a 9-yard return gave the Millers the ball at the 27. Two plays later, Eley threw the scoring pass.
Franklin answered on the ensuing possession, driving deep into Milford Mill territory before Gerson Soriono kicked a 34-yard field goal on the last play of the first quarter, cutting the lead to 6-3.
The Indians took a 10-6 lead on their next drive. Turner capped the drive with a 29-yard scoring pass to Andreus Price. Jacob Hermann added the extra point with 8:14 left in the first half.
Franklin added a touchdown with 16.7 seconds left in the first half when Turner threw a short pass to Justin Spence, and he turned it into a 55-yard touchdown. Hermann’s extra point made 17-6 just before halftime.
The touchdown pass wrapped up a six-play, 89-yard drive for Franklin that started with 1:53 left in the half. Turner completed three of five passes for 85 yards on that drive.