Franklin needs OT, big game by Ross Barr to beat Seymour 28-21

Cliff August 18, 2012 0

By SAM ROGIAN
ISL Correspondent

SEYMOUR, Ind.” Class 5A Franklin dug itself a deep hole early at Class 4A Seymour.

The Grizzly Cubs needed extra time to climb out of it, but they finally got it done in a 28-21 overtime win over the Owls on Friday night.

Franklin allowed host Seymour to go up 21-0 in the season opener for both teams before scraping together a score late in the second quarter to trail 21-7 at halftime. Then Franklin coach Brian Harbin assured his team the game was still within reach.

We talked to them at halftime and we told them to just keep chipping away and turn it around one drive at a time, Harbin said.

And that’s just what the Cubs did.

Franklin junior running back Ross Barr rushed for 101 yards on 23 second-half carries and scored three unanswered touchdowns, including the game-winning 7-yard scamper in overtime. He finished with 122 yards.

Barr deflected praise to his teammates.

It was all the (offensive) line, Barr said. They helped me, they blocked for me all game. I can’t take much credit because in the second half, they stepped it up. We scored 28 unanswered points and that’s just awesome. We just stepped it up the second half.

Franklin senior quarterback Nik Berry went 5-for-7 passing for 25 yards and a touchdown to junior wide receiver Nick King.

Seymour junior quarterback Austin Sutton completed 12-of-26 passes for 157 yards and two scores, but most of that came in the first half. But the Cubs (1-0) shut down Seymour (0-1) in the second half with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Harbin said he would give Franklin a little time to relish the win before shifting focus to next Friday’s home opener.

We’ll take 48 hours to enjoy it, but come Sunday night, we’re going to be putting our minds toward Shelbyville, he said.

Box score:

Franklin-Seymour box