Patriots to face Lake Providence

Patriots to face Lake Providence
by Cody Futrell - posted Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 @ 4:47 pm

E-mail This Story Print This Story


Following a much needed victory at Delhi, 46-26 on Friday night, this Friday will see the Franklin Parish Patriots (1-1) trying to keep the momentum going and trying to improve even more as they host the Lake Providence Panthers (0-2) this Friday at Patriot Stadium.

Last week, Noble Johnson and Keldrick Johnson both ran wild over the Delhi defense once the Patriots began playing with more intensity and taking what the defense was giving them, according to coaches.

"When we are ready to play we try hard," Franklin Parish head coach Barry Sebren said. "When we are not mentally ready to play we will have a problem. Luckily we took advantage of some things they were giving us on defense."

Noble Johnson rushed for 135 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries. Johnson scored on touchdown runs of 26, 53, and 30 yards after halftime. Halftime adjustments saw the Patriots completely take over the game and shut down the Delhi offense. A 26-14 Delhi lead was erased by some key third down stops. Keldrick rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries for an stellar 13 yards per carry against Delhi.

Franklin Parish out gained the Delhi Bears on the ground 371-116, but were out done through the air as Delhi quarterback was 14-of-29 for 144 yards and one touchdown while Tyler Roberts was 0-for-2 passing mostly due to the fact that the Delhi defense was opening up the rushing attack so much for the Patriots that they were running to enforce their will on the Bear's defense.

The offensive outburst was a welcome sight for a program trying to find its footing in the incredibly tough district 3-4A which will get cranking in the near future. The first league game for the Patriots comes on Oct. 9 when they will visit four time defending district champion, the Bastrop Rams.

This week, a former long time Bastrop assistant, Sonny Nasson, brings Lake Providence (0-2) to Winnsboro for what the coaches hope will be a competitive and lively non-district tilt. While the Panthers will try to play ball control offense and keep the vaunted rushing attack of FPHS on the sidelines, Franklin has shown flashes of good things on defense that has program supporters hopeful during this early part of the schedule.

A very athletic and hungry squad, Lake Providence will invade Franklin Parish to battle the Patriots with getting a big boost in the power rankings on their mind. The game is also one of those tough pre-district games that could help the Patriots lose ground in the Class 4A playoff race.

"We need to practice like we are going to play," Sebren said. "We can't take a day off.Lake Providence is very athletic and very physical. We hope we can match up with their athletes and their defensive line is a big physical unit that concerns us."

Sebren feels the team has to be more consistent on both the practice field and in the actual game come Friday night. As the Patriots keep working to correct their mistakes, another chance for a big victory is right around the corner