Franklin must keep it ‘clean’ to challenge Eagle Rock

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Franklin (7-2,3-1) will not lack for confidence when it lines up against Eagle Rock (9-0, 4-0) this Friday at Eagle Rock.

But if the Panthers are going to end the Eagles’ 21-game winning streak and grab a share of the Northern League championship, they must keep the yellow hankies from coming out of the officials’ back pockets.

Coach Eric Jaime said the 25 penalties Franklin was called for against Marshall on Oct. 19 was a big reason for its 29-16 loss to the Barristers -- the lone league loss for Franklin. The next week against Wilson, the Panthers had 16 penalties and barely escaped with a 14-11 win.

Jaime added he won’t remind his players of the four costly turnovers they had in last year’s 8-0 loss to Eagle Rock. ‘We’re going to keep them calm, focused and collected this week. If we can do that, we can come out on top.’

-- Mike Terry

-- Image from www.gerrydavis.com