Football: Franklin wins, gains state Div. 1 title game

FRANKLIN

He’s no longer the waterboy.

Donzell Shearin remembers when he was, though. It was back in 2004 when the Franklin football team was winning its first Group A Region 1 football title.

As he kept everybody refreshed during time outs, Shearin dreamed of one day playing for the Broncos.

Saturday at Armory Field, the senior quarterback was instrumental in leading his team to a 22-21 state semifinal victory over William Campbell.

Franklin (11-2) will attempt to earn its second state title when it faces Clintwood – a 41-21 winner over Holston – at noon Saturday at Salem City Stadium.

In a seesaw battle with the Generals, Shearin had a hand in every Franklin score.

His 70-yard bomb to Derrick Thompson midway through the third quarter – when teamed with Elliott Bottoms’ conversion run – would turn out to be the winner.

“I remember wanting to be here one day, doing this,” said Shearin, who finished with 99 yards passing and 105 rushing. “I knew from watching them that year that I wanted to be a state champ.

“Our line did a great job today and this team stuck together. Now we’re one game away.”

Ironically, it was William Campbell that Franklin defeated in a state semifinal in 2004. But this Generals team was vastly different from the one the Broncos beat 34-0. William Campbell came into Saturday’s match-up with lots of gaudy numbers – particularly from quarterback Baron Adams. The senior had thrown for 1,412 yards, rushed for 1,338 more and had a combined 47 touchdowns.

But Franklin’s swarming defense made it tough all day – holding Adams to 155 yards rushing and just 62 passing – and did so right from the start.

Adams was leading the Generals (11-2) on a game-opening drive when Timmy Wright fumbled at the Franklin 35. The Broncos’ Aaron Smith recovered and advanced the ball to the William Campbell 45. Shearin scored on a 1-yard sneak six plays later.

The Generals took the ensuing drive 57 yards in seven plays. Adams went off left tackle from the 4 for the go-ahead score.

Franklin took the lead back on its next possession, with Shearin scoring from the 16.

Adams then hit a wide open Terrance Younger from 33 out to tie it at 14-14.

The Generals struck first in the second half when Stanley Peerman sliced in from the 3 – setting up Shearin’s big game-winner on the ensuing possession.