ALEXANDRIA — Somebody was bound to leave Friday’s game happy. Either the winless Frankton Eagles would pick up their first victory of the season, or Alexandria would snap its 17-game losing streak.
Powered by senior Trevor Cress, the Eagles rushed for 309 yards en route to a 34-9 victory. Cress led Frankton with three rushing touchdowns and 139 yards on the ground.
“With our schedule that we played this year, we had a pretty decent team and came in here 0-7,” Frankton coach Otis Cress said. “We have played some good football at times, but we have just been overmatched. We will take the win.”
On Frankton’s first possession, the Eagles marched down the field and got on the board first with Cress’ first touchdown. The seven-play drive was highlighted by a 51-yard run by freshman Tyler McKeon.
It took Frankton little time to strike again. On their second possession, the Eagles once again marched down the field with the running game. Cress powered in a 3-yard rushing touchdown at the end of the first quarter to give the Eagles a 14-0 lead.
“Offensively and defensively, Trevor is a great player,” Otis Cress said. “Tonight we were able to overcome some penalties and some mistakes which we haven’t done before, and we will enjoy this win.”
Alexandria, which averaged just over three points a game this season entering the contest, put some points on the board at the end of the second quarter. With 59 seconds until halftime, Frankton surrendered a safety when the snap went out of the back of the end zone on a punt attempt.
But on Frankton’s first possession in the third quarter, Cress and the rest of the Eagle running back crew went to work. With 9:43 left in the period, Cress ran 18 yards for his third rushing touchdown in the game.
“I knew that they would come at us,” Alexandria interim coach Greg Kyle said. “(Frankton) always plays hard. I played for them, and I just know. Those kids are going to bring everything they have every week.”
After an interception for a touchdown by Frankton’ Brandon Wood in the fourth quarter, Alexandria got some momentum going in the passing game. Alexandria quarterback Chance Morphew threw for 137 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown pass to junior Blake Abshire. Abshire caught five passes in the game for 95 yards.
On the touchdown, Morphew was hit as he threw, causing Abshire to come back for the ball. After breaking a tackle, Abshire dove across the goal line for the Tigers’ fourth touchdown of the season.
“Abshire stepped up,” Kyle said. “He did a nice job for the first year he has ever played football. I am happy with him and his efforts.”
While Morphew had eight completions and 137 yards, the Tigers mustered little offense on the ground. Alexandria accumulated only four rushing yards in the game.
Frankton capped off the game with a late touchdown by McKeon, pushing the lead to 34-9. This was the first time this season where the Eagles scored more than once in the game.
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Frankton claims first victory
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