Defense carries Franklin in Senior Day win over Manchester

FRANKLIN — The Franklin College football team’s defense propelled the Grizzlies to a thrilling come-from-behind victory Saturday over Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Manchester College.

The defense kept the Grizzlies in the game when the offense struggled through most of the first three quarters and despite Franklin losing possession deep in Manchester territory twice on punt-play miscues.

The Grizzlies scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to overtake the Spartans and celebrate Senior Day with a 28-21 win.

Franklin improved to 4-2 in the HCAC and 6-3 overall, while Manchester fell to 4-2 in the HCAC and 4-5 overall.

The triumph also made the Grizzlies’ senior class the winningest class ever at Franklin with 35 victories since 2006.

Sophomore wingback Logan Worley scored the winning points on a wildcat rush, taking a snap from center Chad Schenkel and speeding 27 yards into the end zone with 3:49 remaining in the game. Worley led Franklin in rushing on the day, gaining 76 yards on 11 carries.

Junior linebacker Adam Wheat’s 76-yard interception return tied the game at 21 with 7:26 remaining in the game.

The Grizzlies gained 252 yards of total offense. Senior split end Adam Mellencamp, a graduate of Brownstown Central High School, led the team in receiving with three catches for 46 yards. However, his streak of seven straight games with at least one touchdown reception was ended.

Mellencamp earned the Big Hit Award for the game, and the entire Grizzlies defensive squad received the defensive players of the game recognition.

Franklin closes out its 2009 season at Hanover College on Saturday in the annual battle for the Victory Bell trophy. Kickoff of the final HCAC game of the year will be at 1:30 p.m.

The Victory Bell has been given to the winner of the Hanover-Franklin football game since 1938. Hanover College’s Bat Club, a non-athletic organization that wanted to improve school spirit, presented the idea for the trophy.

The all-time series began in 1898 with Hanover winning 18-11 that year. The series was discontinued for a 17-year stretch from 1971 to 1988 but was revived with the formation of then-Indiana Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Their renewed annual meeting now enters its 22nd year, and the Grizzlies have won the past four games.