Franklin Regional ‘never gave up’ in run to WPIAL quarterfinals

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, November 13, 2017 | 5:27 PM

Franklin Regional's defense came to play in the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals. The Panthers only allowed six points, their second-lowest total of the season.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, it was more points than they scored in a 6-3 loss at Upper St. Clair on Nov. 3.

“If someone would say we would give up six points and not move on, it would be hard to believe,” coach Greg Botta said. “We just couldn't put points on the board on (that) night.”

Franklin Regional finished the season 6-4 and in fourth place in the Big East Conference. The conference sent three teams to the semifinals — McKeesport, Penn-Trafford and Gateway.

“Our motto is to make the playoffs and win the last game,” Botta said. “We achieved the first one. To make the playoffs in this conference, it is something to be said. Top to bottom, this has to be one of the tougher conferences.

“The kids should celebrate when we have our banquet. They were resilient tough kids who never gave up.”

Heading into the season, Botta new it was going to be a battle replacing nearly his whole defense, yet that was the side of the ball that carried them throughout the season. In 10 games, the Panthers allowed 16.9 points per game. The heartbeat of the defense was senior linebacker Bryce Lauer.

Lauer broke the career tackles record by 111 tackles. He finished with 362, breaking Brett Zanotto's mark from 2015. He also broke Zanotto's single-season record in two fewer games with 161 tackles. Zanotto's record stood at 157. Lauer is undecided on where he will attend college.

“He is one of those kids who comes around for a coach every 10 years,” Botta said. “He is up there with the top two or three that I have coached.”

What Lauer meant to the Panthers defense is the same meaning Nate Leopold had for the offense.

Any chance it got, Franklin Regional tried to get the ball in Leopold's hands. He led the team in rushing, receiving and scoring.

“Leopold is a tremendous athlete,” Botta said. “He made play after play. We tried to get the ball in his hand every game. He loves the game, and he plays it hard. He meant the world to us on the offensive side. Whatever program he goes to, you would read about him in the future. He is a true leader on the football field.”

While the leaders of 2017 are set to graduate for Franklin Regional, the torch will be passed along to future leaders like Adam Rudzinski. The junior quarterback completed his first season by throwing for more than 1,100 yards.

“In this conference, you get thrown into the fire early,” Botta said. “I expect the world from him next year. He has to get a little bigger. I see positive things for him in the future.”

Drew Karpen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Franklin Regional