By Mike McGraw
Executive Director

INDIANAPOLIS – They may be clichés, but Franklin Central used some simple philosophies Aug. 22 in their 14-7 victory over host Decatur Central in a battle of Class 5A Indianapolis southside teams. On defense, the Flashes bent but did not break. Offensively, they bashed until Decatur Central busted.

The primary battering ram was junior running back Delmar Kelly. Kelly had a long night at the office as he toted the ball 31 times for 178 yards and two touchdowns. (Click here to watch game highlights, including one of Kelly's scores!)

For Decatur Central, this will go down as a night of what-ifs. The Hawks penetrated FC territory no less than five times, yet came away with only one score. That was a 17-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Blake Beasley to junior wideout Travis Powers with just over a minute left to play.

Throughout the rest of the evening, Decatur Central could move the ball but never come up with the big play when it was needed.

Despite all of the Hawks’ frustration, this game still went down to the wire. After DC’s late score, Franklin Central was not able to run out the clock. That’s because Kelly made one of his very few mistakes on this night by coughing up the ball on second down, giving Decatur Central one last desperate chance.

The Hawks’ threat, however, ended in an interception on third down.

It did not take long for the pattern of this contest to emerge. After two first downs on its initial drive, Decatur Central stalled and was forced to punt. Franklin Central took over at its own 27 and drove into Hawk territory, where the Decatur Central defense stiffened.

But the Hawks committed a critical pass interference penalty on 3rd and 10, giving the Flashes new life. They quickly took advantage, finishing off the drive with a three-yard Kelly touchdown run.

The rest of the first half brought a series of missed opportunities. Decatur Central moved into Flashes territory twice but came up empty. Franklin Central also had two chances, the best being a recovered fumble on the Hawk 16-yard line in the second quarter. But a holding penalty killed that opportunity.

As a result, Franklin Central headed to the locker room at intermission with just a 6-0 lead.

As mentioned earlier, Kelly had a busy night. At halftime, he had already carried the ball 19 times for 108 yards and a score. The Hawks, meanwhile, had to discuss their passing game at the break as Beasley was just 3 of 10 in the first two quarters.

Most of the third period was spent with Decatur Central threatening, but to no avail. The Hawks drove into FC territory on their first possession of the half but failed on a 4th and 2. After Franklin Central went three-and-out, DC was set up again thanks to a big punt return from Powers.

But that threat was ended when FC junior defensive back Tyler Dewey intercepted Beasley at the Flashes’ 10.

Franklin Central then went on the key drive of the game. The Flashes moved into Decatur Central territory on a key third-down pass from junior QB Brett Massengale to Mark Schroeder, then scored on a 20-yard run from Kelly early in the fourth period.

The two-point conversion was successful, and the Flashes led 14-0.

Decatur Central failed to move on its first possession after the score, but the Hawks progressed to the FC 17 on the second try. It appeared Franklin Central had stopped the drive on a fourth-down play, but offsetting penalties gave the Hawks a second chance, and Beasley cashed in.

Despite the last-minute dramatics, however, it was too little too late.

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