Wildcats in the News
FRANKLIN — The Franklin High School football team continues to thrive off its first trip to the playoffs last year since 1993.
Many of the players that made that playoff berth happen are gone, but some are back and the impression left on those who were role players is flourishing, according to fourth-year coach Rodney Roberts.
“Last year, nobody would have predicted those guys to do what they did,” Roberts said. “But they went out and made it happen. This group is feeding off that. They have the ability to do the same thing.
“That’s the great thing about tradition,” he continued. “It makes you want to be as successful or more than the group before you. Last year’s seniors gave us a level to meet or pass.”
Offense
The Wildcats only return two starters on offense — senior offensive linemen Robbie Fisher (5-foot-11, 225 pounds) and Kyle Wilson (6-5, 250).
Everyone else will be new, although a few saw limited snaps a year ago, such as senior running backs Dylan Salyers (6-1, 210) and Eric Hildenbrand (6-0, 185).
The duo combined for 157 yards on 26 carries out of a backfield that was dominated by Quinton Jones (153 carries, 1,121 yards, 11 touchdowns).
Sophomore Cody Priest (6-1, 205) also will see some carries.
Senior Justin Rickard takes over as quarterback, and may split time with senior Ben Sizemore, Roberts said.
Whomever is under center, they’ll have seniors Taylor Briggs and Nate Hunt, as well as junior Justin Salyers to throw to.
Joining Fisher and Wilson on the line will likely be senior Aaron Powell (6-4, 285), junior Michael Stachler (6-0, 215) and sophomore D.J. Brewer (5-8, 198).
Junior Jordan Pruitt will be the kicker and punter for the Wildcats.
“We feel fortunate to have two guys at quarterback we can rely on,” Roberts said. “We’re going to try to be balanced, but we also know for our offense to work we have to run the ball.”
Defense
Although Franklin lost the Division III Southwest District defensive player of the year in Sam Gauze to graduation, as well as a couple other top defensive players, they return seven starters, led by three in the secondary including Rickard, Briggs and Cody Blackford (6-1, 174).
Junior Christian Brislen (6-5, 285) and Wilson will be the defensive line stalwarts, while Hildenbrand and Spencer Matthews (6-0, 198) will rule the middle of the defense at linebacker.
Joining the mix in the defensive backfield will be sophomores Matt Adkins (6-0, 160) and Oscar Romero (5-9, 149).
“The strength of our defense is our secondary,” Roberts said. “Up front, this is the biggest team we’ve had in a while.
“Our defensive and offensive will set the tone for what we do,” he added.”
Justin Rickard — QB
Senior will split time at quarterback and will rarely come off the field as a returning starter at defensive back.
Kyle Wilson — OL/DL
6-foot-5, 250-pound senior is one of two offensive starters returning, and also returns to the starting front three on defense.
Cody Blackford — DB
Senior is one of three returning starters in the Wildcats secondary; had 51 tackles and two interceptions as a junior.
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Player Position Year
Christian Brislen DL Jr.
Kyle Wilson DL Sr.
Aaron Herald DL So.
Eric Hildenbrand LB Sr.
Jacob Rinehart LB Jr.
Spencer Matthews LB Sr.
Justin Rickard DB Sr.
Cody Blackford DB Sr.
Taylor Briggs DB Sr.
Matt Adkins DB So.
Oscar Romero DB So.
Justin Rickard P Sr.
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Player Position Year
Justin Rickard QB Sr.
Dylan Salyers RB Sr.
Eric Hildenbrand RB Sr.
Cody Priest RB So.
Justin Salyers WR Jr.
Nate Hunt WR Sr.
Robbie Fisher OL Sr.
Kyle Wilson OL Sr.
Aaron Powell OL Sr.
D.J. Brewer OL So.
Michael Stachler OL Jr.
Jordan Pruitt K Jr.
By Skip Weaver, Staff Writer Updated 8:52 AM Monday, August 24, 2009
FRANKLIN — Eric Hildenbrand has some big shoes to fill for the Franklin High School football team.
On defense, the senior is moving from safety to linebacker to replace Sam Gauze, the 2008 Division III Southwest District defensive player of the year. On offense, he’ll get more carries in split duties at running back in replacing Quinton Jones, who rushed for 1,121 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.
“I was more of a blocking back last year,” said Hildenbrand, who only had 11 carries for 47 yards rushing last year. “I’m looking forward to doing more on offense.”
He’ll be doing a lot more on defense, too.
“My job on both sides of the ball is just to do whatever I can to help our team be successful,” Hildenbrand said. “I’m filling some big shoes and the pressure is on to be a good leader.
“I’m really relaxed though,” he continued. “That is surprising because I usually get nervous in situations like this when people depend on me so much. I’ve just got to go with the flow and take everything as it comes.”
FHS coach Rodney Roberts is confident Hildenbrand can be that leader.
“He’s just one of those kids that you can put on the field and never worry about taking him off because he keeps himself in such good shape,” Roberts said. “He’s going to be a third-year starter for us and he’s always led by example, but I’ve tried to express to him that when he talks people will listen.
“We had a lot of vocal leaders last year,” he continued. “These seniors are more quiet, but have accepted the role and are getting better at it every day.”
Hildenbrand is approaching this season as his last. The senior admits he will more than likely wrestle at the collegiate level.
“I love football, but I think wrestling might be better for me in college,” said Hildenbrand, who finished his junior year with a 36-6 record and placed eighth in the state in Division II at 152 pounds.
His wrestling ability has helped him on the football field.
“I feel like I can move better because of wrestling, and it helps me a lot with technique,” Hildenbrand said.
Roberts sees it, too.
“If there is one kid on our roster that can play 70 plays a night and not come off the field, it’s Eric,” Roberts said. “He’s got a toughness about him and that comes from wrestling.”
A closer look at Eric Hildenbrand
Team: Franklin Wildcats
Position: Running back/linebacker
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 185 pounds
College choice: Undecided
Accomplishments: In 2008 as a safety, he recorded 77 tackles and was named to the Southwestern Buckeye League, Southwestern Division second team.
Franklin 28, Bellbrook 21
FRANKLIN — Dylan Salyers rushed for three touchdowns, including the eventual game-winning 1-yard jaunt in the fourth quarter, as the Wildcats won their fourth straight to improve to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division.
Eric Hildenbrand added a rushing TD for Franklin.
© Franklin Wildcat Football 2009