Class 3A state semifinal
Huntingtown (11-1) vs. No. 4 Franklin (10-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Huntingtown
Passing: Justin Bittner, Sr., 65-for-137, 1,010 yards, 6 TD, 6 INT
Rushing: Davonte Fletcher, Jr., 202 carries, 1,255 yards, 12 TD
Receiving: Nick Eersoy, Jr., 12 receptions, 251 yards, 5 TD
Franklin
Passing: Joe Dorsey, Sr., 98-for-186, 1,902 yards, 19 TD, 7 INT
Rushing: Mark Venable, Sr., 147 carries, 927 yards, 10 TD; Anthony Taylor, Jr., 35, 218, 2; Dorsey 52, 204, 6
Receiving: Ian Thomas, Jr., 42 receptions, 868 yards, 13 TD; Navassa Brown, Sr., 22, 563, 6; Marquis Ellis, Soph., 13, 225, 2
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Huntingtown
Tackles: Dashawn Torney, Sr., 105 tackles
Quarterback sacks: Mark Smith, Sr., 6
Interceptions: Gabe Stewart, Jr., 4
Franklin
Tackles: Venable, Sr., 134 tackles; Eric Pasternack, Jr., 93; Ryan Bacote, Sr., 60
Quarterback sacks: Jamal Ibrahim, Jr., 4; Taylor 4
Interceptions: Venable 2; Thomas 1
OUTLOOK:
After being on the road for the past two weeks in the Class 3A North Regional playoffs against Hereford and North Harford, Franklin returns home to face Huntingtown for the right to play in the 3A state title game.
The Indians trailed 14-0 against the host and undefeated Hawks in the second quarter of last week’s regional title game before senior quarterback Joe Dorsey took over. Dorsey ran for back-to-back scores to tie the game at 14-14 in the third quarter.
Franklin trailed 21-14 in the fourth quarter but it was Dorsey again who capped off drives with touchdown runs of 1- and 3-yards respectively to give the Indians the upset win and regional crown. His final touchdown run came with eight seconds left in the game.
The Baltimore County school boasts some of the area’s top talent at the skill positions. Senior running back Mark Venable and junior wide receiver Ian Brown compliment Dorsey on the offensive side of the ball.
The Hurricanes, who have also been on the road for its two previous playoff games, defeated Friendly handily, 52-16 last Friday. Running back Andrew Bose rushed for 185 yards and four touchdowns for Huntingtown.
At the state coach’s luncheon on Tuesday, Franklin head coach Anthony Burgos said he and his team are “ready to go” right now. The Indians don’t want to wait for Friday, they are chomping at the bit to get on the field.
