Franklin Central pulls away from Plainfield for 31-7 victory

Flashes score 24 unanswered second-half points behind balanced offense and dominant defense

By Staff Report

PLAINFIELD, Ind. — Franklin Central broke open a tied game by scoring 24 unanswered points in the second half, defeating Plainfield 31-7 in its season-opening Indiana high school football game.

The Flashes led 7-0 after the opening quarter, but Plainfield answered with seven points in the second to send the teams into halftime tied. Franklin Central regained control with 10 points in the third quarter before adding 14 in the fourth while shutting out the Quakers over the final two periods.

Franklin Central accumulated 348 yards, including 191 through the air and 157 on the ground. Quarterback Caiden Marsden completed 16 of 27 passes for 191 yards. Zyere Torres led the receiving corps with 48 yards on two catches, including a 41-yard reception. Dennis Mitchell Jr. caught five passes for 44 yards, while Andrew Jimenez added four receptions for 44 yards.

The Flashes scored all four of their touchdowns on the ground. Rian Frazier led the rushing attack with 67 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Bryce Danzer scored twice, and Ezekiel Scruggs added 31 yards and a touchdown. Malachi Hasseld connected on a 35-yard field goal

Franklin Central’s defense limited Plainfield to 122 total yards, including just 23 yards on 30 rushing attempts. The Flashes recorded five sacks, with Osteen Njoroge collecting four and Amarius Armstead adding one. Njoroge also registered four tackles for loss. Andrew Harmon led Franklin Central with 14 total tackles and three tackles for loss. Beckett Draher finished with 10 tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery, while Jayce Brewer recorded an interception.