Freedom blows out Franklin thanks to six opening-half TDs

Credit: James Lynch Jr. | The News Herald

Freedom's D.C. Corpening sheds tackles on a run to the outside against first-round 3A state playoff foe Franklin on Friday.

Freedoms 18th home state playoff contest resulted in many records shattered in the Patriot history books.

Freedom (10-2) hit paydirt on its first six possessions en route to a 42-14 triumph Friday against visiting Franklin (8-4) in both teams state 3A West football playoff opener. The Patriots won their playoff opener for the second time in three seasons, as the offense erupted for 499 total yards (368 rushing).

Tonight Im not sure if we could have played any better in the first half, said FHS coach Mike Helms. We gave Franklin a little too much defensively, but we knew coming in that they were a good quality team.

Were very proud of how we played to advance especially coming off last year. Im still sad for those guys from last season, because I thought they got a raw deal. But at the same time, this is some vindication for them knowing that they had a part to do with being the first team in the 40-year school history to win 10 games in three consecutive years.

Senior running back David Burgess (17 carries, 253 yards) set a new school single-season rushing record (2,386 yards) that was previously held by 99 graduate Terry Sheffield (2,158).

Burgess scored touchdowns on runs of 68, 46 and 20 yards in the opening 17 minutes.

Its just a blessing. Ive got to give thanks to God, Burgess said. Without him giving me the ability, I could not have done this, and second to my teammates for blocking. This was a huge win to advance to the second round but also a record night for the team.

Freedom senior quarterback Shawn Fairchild was a perfect 7 of 7 passing for 131 yards, all in the opening half. Junior Khris Gardin caught four passes for 83 yards and two TDs the Patriots first on a 33-yard catch in the back of the end zone, with the second coming on an over the shoulder 42-yard catch to put the Pats up 21-7 with just more than four minutes remaining in the opening quarter.

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Freedom blows out Franklin thanks to six opening-half TDs