11/18/2009 2:06:00 PM Tornadoes finish season at 12-2
By STEVE SWOGETINSKY Sports Editor
The 2009 football season came to an end for the Philadelphia Tornadoes Friday night as they dropped a 20-7 decision to Franklin County in the second round of the Class 3A state football playoffs.
The Tornadoes finished the season with a 12-2 record.
"They (Franklin County) were what we thought they would be," Philadelphia Coach Teddy Dyess said. "They were a tough, defensive football team and ran the ball well. Their linebackers were faster than what they showed on film and that surprised us some. By far, this was the best defense we faced all season.
"Our eight seniors have plenty to be proud of. They have put together a 31-8 record in the past three years. A 12-win season is a very special thing. We have a good group coming back. One day, we are going to make it to the next level in the playoffs but right now, we have nothing to hang our heads about."
Franklin County scored on its second possession as Milton Griffin scored on a six-yard run. This capped a 13-play, 61-yard drive. The extra point was good and the Bulldogs took a 7-0 lead.
Franklin County scored again in the second quarter as Darnell Ford went in on a two-yard run, capping a 12-play, 43-yard drive. The extra point try was no good and the Bulldogs led 13-0 at the half.
Philadelphia changed gears in the second half and came out with straight-ahead running game led by the one-two punch of Brandon Willis and C.J. Johnson. It worked until the Tornadoes fumbled ball away. Six plays later, Franklin County connected on a 28-yard TD pass to go up 20-0.
Philadelphia never gave up as they took the ensuing kickoff and marched down the field for their only touchdown. Lee Smith threw to Triq Patrick for a 21-yard TD pass play with 18 seconds left in the third quarter. Latimer Smith kicked the extra point and the Tornadoes were fighting to stay alive.
Time was on Franklin County's side. The Bulldogs put together a drive that took a chunk of the time in the fourth quarter. Philadelphia got the ball on the 20-yard line and drove to the Franklin County 27-yard line where they ran out of downs. The Tornadoes had one final possession but it ended with a turnover.
Senior runningback Brandon Willis finished the night with 67 yards. He ended the season with 2,018 yards.
Franklin County, now 10-3, plays Morton in the next round.
