11/11/2009 6:00:00 PM Tornadoes host Franklin Friday
By STEVE SWOGETINSKY Sports Editor
The Philadelphia Tornadoes will try to take another step forward in the Class 3A state football playoffs Friday night when they host Franklin County.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The Tornadoes improved their record to 11-1 last Friday night as they rolled up a 38-0 victory over St. Patrick in the first round of the playoffs. Franklin County, 9-3, advanced to the second round with a 33-0 victory over Velma Jackson.
"Franklin County will be the most physical team we have faced all season," Philadelphia coach Teddy Dyess said. "They come straight at you and they have had a good season.
"But we are a pretty good team, too. We have 11 victories and that's pretty special. We haven't gotten a lot of respect this season. But that's OK. We are going to keep trying to get better each week and want to be playing in December."
The Fighting Irish from St. Patrick played hard but were physically overmatched and couldn't stop the Tornadoes. The Tornadoes had 23 first downs while St. Patrick finished with six. Philadelphia had 355 yards rushing on 56 carries and completed 11 passes for 109 for 464 total yards.
Senior running back Brandon Willis paced the Tornadoes with 238 yards on 27 carries. That gives Willis 1,951 rushing yards for the season.
Philadelphia took the opening kickoff and drove down to the St. Patrick nine-yard line before running out of downs. The Tornadoes forced the Fighting Irish to punt four downs later and took the ball on their 44-yard line. Seven plays later, Philadelphia connected with Georgio Grace on a 12-yard TD pass play. The extra point try was no good and with 3:48 left in the first quarter, the Tornadoes led 6-0.
Senior defensive end Julian Riddle recovered a fumble to give Philadelphia the ball on its 40-yard line. The Tornadoes drove down to the St. Patrick two-yard line where Jeremy Morgan carried it in for the touchdown. The run for two failed and the Tornadoes led 12-0 with 9:07 left in the second quarter.
The Tornadoes scored again on their next possession. This time, Willis scored on a 30-yard run. Latimer Smith booted the extra point and the Tornadoes led 19-0 with 4:14 left in the half. Philadelphia was driving as time expired in the second quarter and the Tornadoes took their lead into the locker-room at the half.
It was more of the same in the third quarter. St. Patrick received the kickoff but Philadelphia forced a punt. Philadelphia took over on its 38-yard line and put together a nine-play drive that ended on a 19-yard run by Willis. Smith kicked the extra point and Philadelphia posted a 26-0 lead with 7:08 left in the period.
The Tornadoes kicked off, forced St. Patrick to punt on fourth down, and were off to another scoring drive. A 20-yard pass play from Lee Smith to Tyriq Patrick put the ball on the St. Patrick four-yard line. On the next play, Willis carried it in for the touchdown. The kick was wide and the Tornadoes led 32-0.
Morgan would score the final points of the game in the fourth quarter on a two-yard run. The kick was no good.
C.J. Johnson led the Tornadoes in tackles with nine while Riddle added eight. Kenan Williams and Caleb Gamblin both added six.
