Franklin stays unbeaten, holds off stiff challenge from rival Coronado
It wasn't pretty, but Franklin will take the win.
On Thursday night in the Sun Bowl, Franklin absorbed a tremendous defensive effort from Coronado and held on for a 14-13 win in the District 1-6A opener for both teams in a battle of Westside rivals.
Franklin is 3-0 overall and Coronado is 1-2 overall and has lots its last two games by a combined three points. Last week, the Thunderbirds lost to Canutillo, 14-13.
Backup RB scores winning TD
The Cougars have been affected by the injury bug early in the season, losing key players such as receiver Patrick Powers and running back Jordan Morales.
On Thursday, Jason Villagrana received his chance for the Cougars in the offensive backfield and he responded with quality runs and wound up scoring the winning touchdown in the second half on a 4-yard run in the third quarter. He helped set up the score with runs run of 8 and 9 yards.
Franklin defense sound
In three games this season, Franklin has allowed 38 points in wins against Las Cruces Centennial, Andress and now Coronado.
Coronado much improved
The Thunderbirds have played three of El Paso's best teams, Chapin, Canutillo and Franklin down to the wire, winning the Chapin game and nearly winning the other two.
In Thursday's second half, penalties hurt the Thunderbirds as several illegal block or holding penalties curtailed promising drives. In its three games, the Thunderbirds have allowed just 48 points.
Tight first half
Coronado took a 13-7 lead into the halftime break by forcing two turnovers, and Blake Randag returning a kickoff 70 yards for a score.
Randag's score came after Franklin had taken a 7-6 lead on a Shay Smith 24-yard touchdown pass to Elias Rangel.
Coronado struck first on a 9-yard touchdown run by Ben Wilson, who was filling in for the injured Owen Levesque (knee).
Coronado's forced turnovers were an interception by Thibaut Spillaert, which set up a score and a forced fumble where Smith had the ball knocked loose at the end of the first half and Coronado recovered to end a potential scoring drive. The Cougars were at the Thunderbirds 12 when the fumble happened.
What the winning players said
"I'm happy with the win, it was a slugfest," Smith said. "It was two really good teams, it was a dogfight and we knew it would be tough. It was our fight at the end that made us win. It was a team effort, our defense did a good job. Jacob did a great job tonight, he has a lot of fight in him."
Added Villagrana: "I knew I had to step up. It was a big win for us. Our defense stepped up."
What the winning coach said
"Our kids worked hard and we have to get better in areas but our kids showed toughness and determination," Cougars coach Daren Walker said. "Coronado's defense was tough and it was a challenge for us."
What's next
Franklin is home against Americas and Coronado visits Eastlake.
More: HS Football capsules, predicitions El Paso high school football Week 3 predictions
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.co; @Fchavezeptimes on twitter
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Franklin edges Coronado, 14-13, in the Sun Bowl
