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C-M's Franklin Goes Out A Winner

C-M's Franklin goes out a winner

Staff Reporter  /  December 29, 2011  /  Views: 251  /   1 Comment

ST. XAVIER'S K.J. Franklin (28) is busy skirting the end for the Cougars. Franklin, Crete-Monee graduate, scored the winning touchdown in St. Xavier 24-20 over Carroll College for the NAIA National Championship.

In his final minute of his last college game on December 17 in Rome, Ga., K.J. Franklin played deep back for St. Xavier in the victory formation. The Cougars were taking a knee to end its game with Carroll College.

Franklin had been in that position many times in his four-year career at St. Xavier. However, this time the Cougars were sealing a 24-20 victory over Carroll for the NAIA National Championship. It is the first in St. Xavier history.

For Franklin, a Crete-Monee graduate, to even be on the field was even somewhat a surprise. Franklin had a torn ACL and missed six games, but he was determined not to let it be a season-ending injury.

This appearance at the end was not just a token of kindness by Cougar coach Mike Feminis. Franklin had rehabbed and was an important part of the playoff run.

"Everyone on the team supported me," Franklin said. "With these guys behind me, I knew I'd be all right."

Franklin scored the winning touchdown for the Cougars. Down 20-17 early in the third period, Franklin knifed through the Saints' defense for a four-yard touchdown run. The St. Xavier defense did the rest.

'He was playing on one leg, but he would not come out," Feminis said. "He has a lot of guts. I love the kid."

In spite an abbreviated season, Franklin rushed for eight touchdowns, the best of his four years.

In his Cougar career, Franklin rushed for 1,335 yards averaging 5.1 yards per carries as he tallied 20 touchdowns. However, Franklin was also a receiving threat, and in his four seasons, he caught 57 passes for 598 yards and three touchdowns.

After a 7-4 season his freshman campaign, the Cougars went 13-1 and 13-1 losing the NAIA semifinals the next two years. But now his senior season, St. Xavier finished 14-1 avenging a regular season loss to Marian University of Indiana in the semifinals in its journey to the title.

It was great way for Franklin to conclude his career.

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clifton

on January 22, 2012 at 00:57

i see u cuz keep it up

permalink

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