Looking to cap off an undefeated season, Stephens found themselves in a defensive battle as they took on Franklin.
After a defensive struggle early on, the Jackrabbits got their offensive going as they defeated Franklin 30-20 on Saturday at Lakewood High to cap their 9-0 undefeated season.
After three interceptions on the opening three drive by Ezra Pese, Jermaine Armstrong and Alijah King – Jeremiah Owen gave Stephens an early lead when he caught a pass from Dallas Trotter to give Stephens a 6-0 lead with 9:52 left in the second quarter.
After a defensive stop, Trotter kept the offense moving as he threw passes to King and Owen. Owen then scored his second touchdown on a long run to give the Jacktabbits a 12-0 lead with 3:20 left in the first half.
Franklin didn’t back down as Tyreek Daviega found Torein Bailey for a long touchdown as the Wildcats cut Stephens’ lead to 12-7 at halftime.
Bailey got Franklin’s defense going early in the third quarter when he got an interception to put the Wildcats’ offense on the field with a chance to take their first lead. Daviega did just that as he found Ethan Solis for a touchdown and Franklin took a 13-12 lead.
However, Owen once again showed what he can do as he scored on the next play to give Stephens a 18-13 lead.
“Jeremiah has been just a star since the beginning,” Stephens Co-coach Jose Magallan said. “He steps up when we need him.
He’s just the ultimate X factor. Once the ball iss in his hands, he could take it the 80 yards in a blink of an eye.”
After Elisandro Mendoza got an interception in the end zone, Owen scored his third touchdown of the game on a long run and showed his breakaway speed to put Stephens up 24-13 with 8:36 left in the third quarter.
The Jackrabbits came up with a defensive stop and Trotter scored to give Stephens a 30-13 lead with 4:38 left in the game.
Franklin kept battling as they drove down field and Daviega found Joshua Hernandez for a touchdown to cut Stephens’ lead to 30-20.
