REBEL FOOTBALL - AUGUST 29, 2014

Saylor’s Pick Seals Win Over Flashes Story and pictures by Bob Kelly ‘79

In perhaps one of its most dominating performances in recent memory, the Roncalli defense made big plays, dominated the and held the Franklin Central offense to minus two yards for the entire game as the Rebels gained its first victory of the season 16-6 on Aug. 29.

Class 4A, No. 10 Roncalli and Franklin Central each had a hard time getting their offenses untracked, leaving it to their defense to make an impact in the contest and it was the swarming defense of the visiting Rebels that eventually took control of the game. Senior Danny Annee leads the Rebels football team through the sign and onto the field for The Rebels stingy defense stymied the its game against host Franklin Central. Roncalli defeated the Flashes 16-6 on Friday night. host Flashes offense while recording three and one safety. in the first half, but bobbled the extra 9:37 left to play in the third quarter. Senior safety Eric Townsend and junior point and only led 6-0. linebacker Jake Franklin each intercepted “Our defense played exceptionally a pass in the game, but the biggest The Rebels scored on its next possession well as it stepped up its play tonight,” was turned in by junior when junior runningback Nate Fries Roncalli head coach Bruce Scifres said. defensive back Justin Saylor. hit pay dirt to tie the game at six with “Our defense played with intensity and 7 minutes remaining in the first half. it enabled us to make plays tonight that Franklin Central scored on its first Senior Matt Cunningham’s extra point proved to be the difference in the game.” possession of the second quarter when kick put the Rebels ahead 7-6. Roncalli senior Aaron Austin scored a later recorded a safety on a muffed The biggest play of the game came with on a two-yard run with 9:32 remaining in the by Franklin Central with less than 10 seconds remaining in the third quarter when Saylor intercepted a pass and raced 52 yards for a touchdown and the Rebels (1-1) added the extra point to lead 16-6. The momentum switched quickly to the Rebels and Franklin Central never threatened on offense the rest of the game. The win marked the Rebels’ fourth consecutive victory over the Flashes in the series.

Saylor was all smiles after the game as he described how he made the play that proved to be the difference in the contest. “We were playing a cover three when I saw the roll out to pass. I knew from watching film that I had to sit on the play and the came my way and the next thing I knew was Roncalli High School students cheer during a play where the Rebels forced a turnover in the that I made the play and had the ball,” second quarter during its game against host Franklin Central. Saylor said. Scifres knew that Saylor’s interception was the game’s key play.

“It was a huge play for us,” Scifres said. “It was the turning point of the game. We had battled back and forth up to that point in the game. (Saylor) made the interception and ran it in for a touchdown and it just completely changed the complexion of the game.”

Rebel stats: Casey Gore led the Rebels with 75 yards passing, followed by Fries who gained 45 yards and one touchdown. Tyler Lucas, Nate Eble and Joe Swan each recorded a sack. Matt A swarm of Rebels on defense corral senior quarterback Chris Arnold during second quarter Cunningham was 2-for-2 in PAT’s and action while throwing him for a two-yard loss on the play. The Rebels won 16-6 and also Robbie Strader’s longest punt was 40 captured the Chic-Fil-A Challenge. yards.

Senior safety Eric Townsend intercepts a pass intended for Franklin Central’s Spencer Proffer in football action.

Senior cornerback Eric Townsend goes up to battle Franklin Central Senior runningback Nick Boehle breaks a tackle by Franklin Central receiver Spencer Proffer for the ball in second quarter action. defensive end Will Huber in first quarter action of a high school Roncalli came away with a 16-6 win in the contest. football game on Friday night.