The Colts survived two first-quarter turnovers with its formidable defense, highlighted by sacks by Blake Dennis and Caleb Bagwell and a fumble recovery by Ethan Hoffman deep in Colts territory. CCS took an early 7-0 lead on a 66-yard drive with key runs by Channing Gillespie and Clark Beckham and a Dennis pass to John Wayne Corder to the Franklin Classical 4-yard line, setting up a touchdown by Andrew Chapman and a PAT by Sam Siske. The Colts lost some momentum, however, when the Knights answered with a 70-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Micah Harris.

“This one was hard,” said CCS Coach Terry Dennis. “We played hard, had a couple of great defensive stands early. Big plays got us behind and we just could not get on track.”

The Knights, on 3rd and long in the 2nd quarter, took the lead on a 57-yard touchdown pass from David Narr to Cody Gilkeson. The Colts defense prevented the two-point conversion, and the Knights led 12-7. The Colts held Franklin Classical to 4th and 12 at the CCS 29, but the Knights converted deep in Colts territory, setting up another Franklin Classical touchdown, this time on a quarterback keep. Trailing 18-7 late in the half, the Colts drove to midfield and were stalled, turning the ball over on downs. With just 16 seconds remaining in the second period, the Knights struck again with a 38-yard pass from Narr to Johnathon Swift, and the Colts trailed at the half, 24-7.

Franklin Classical scored on its first possession of the half, moving from their own 32 to the Colts 25, setting up a 25-yard touchdown run by Harris. The Colts defense denied their conversion attempt, and the Knights took a 30-7 lead. The Colts continued to fight, driving from their own 30 to midfield. Dennis completed a pass to Gillespie to Franklin Classical’s 17. Shane Broxton powered his way to the 3-yard line, where Beckham punched it in for the Colts. Dennis scored the two-point conversion. Pulling themselves back to within 15 points of the Knights, the Colts were unable to stop the Knights offense who would score TDs again in the third period and twice in the fourth to post a 56-15 win.

The Colts will likely have another shot at the Knights next month in the playoffs.

 “Our guys have great heart,” said Coach Dennis, “and we will fight back. We hopefully will have a rematch for the state championship.”

Offensive leaders for the Colts were Andrew Chapman with 76 yards and a touchdown, Blake Dennis with 74 yards, Channing Gillespie with 51 yards, and Clark Beckham with 42 yards and a touchdown. Dennis was 6 of 14 passing for 67 yards, throwing two interceptions.

Leading tackler was Dennis with seven solo tackles, five assists and three sacks, followed by Beckham with five solo tackles and three assists, Corder with five solo tackles, two assists and a sack, and Bagwell with five tackles, an assist, and a sack.

The Colts will play at Currey Ingram Academy in Brentwood Friday.