By MATT VINES, Journal Sports
WINNSBORO — Franklin Parish coach Adrian Burnette told Monroe sports radio show “The Morning Drive” this week that until the Patriots got a signature win, they can’t be upset about things like a theoretical high school betting line making them a 41.5 point underdog Friday night.
The Patriots notched their signature win, building a large first-half lead and holding off Calvary Baptist in a 32-28 upset that to say the least, defied the odds as they shocked the reigning Select Division III champion Cavaliers, the No. 1-ranked team in Class 2A.
Class 4A Franklin Parish (3-0) hit Calvary (1-2) in the mouth early when defensive lineman Tavon Bell intercepted a screen pass and returned it for a 40-yard touchdown.
The Patriots continued to stake a claim to an upset when, after a James Simon IV fumble, quarterback Dezriyan Ellis scored on a fourth-down draw play to go up 14-0 in the opening minutes.
“We had a tough start, and it’s hard to come back against a good team,” said Calvary coach Rodney Guin. “We had four turnovers, and we handed them some big plays.
“We just have to keep working. It’s a totally different team this year, and I have to do a better job of getting them ready to play.”
Calvary settled down with a Abram Wardell-Kolby Thomas connection from about 30 yards out to cut the Patriots’ lead in half (14-7).
But Franklin Parish wasn’t finished, scoring two more touchdowns in the first half to build a 26-7 lead.
Ellis tossed one touchdown pass before sprinting 99 yards on a touchdown run following a goal line stand.
The quarterback tacked on a fourth-down touchdown pass in the third quarter for a 32-7 edge.
Calvary made its stand in the second half, scoring three straight touchdowns to cut the Patriots’ edge to 32-28.
Guin credited defensive stops allowing the offense to develop rhythm as factors in the second-half charge.
Simon scored twice on runs of 20 and two yards as Calvary trailed just 32-20 late in the third quarter.
Wardell, who threw for 13 touchdowns combined in the first two games, scored with his legs on a three-yard touchdown run, getting the visitors within 32-28 with less than two minutes to play.
Franklin Parish was able to seal the deal and remained undefeated.
The Cavs lost consecutive games for the first time since 2022. They host D’Arbonne Woods next Friday.
Calvary’s 42-38 loss last week to Neville, Class 5A’s No.5 team, snapped a 16-game Cavs’ winning streak.
Contact Matt at sports@journalservicesllc.com