Franklin County bringing a hunger for success into 2020

For Franklin County, the time is now.

With a wealth of juniors and seniors and returning starters back for head coach Wes Gillman, the Cougars are primed to have a successful 2020 campaign.

A season ago, Franklin County finished 5-5.

“These guys have been biding their time and that time is now. We have multiple starters on both sides of the ball, all-conference talent at multiple positions, and a hunger I haven’t seen at Franklin County in a long time,” Gillman told Sideline Prep Sports Report.

Leading the offense is returning running back Hunter Tschaenn, who is a senior. He rushed for 1,570 yards and 21 touchdowns a season ago. Also back is junior running back Bridger Bolos, who added 230 yards passing, 275 yards rushing and 120 yards receiving. At receiver, Jacob Schatzle, a junior, returns after hauling in three touchdowns and 268 yards a season ago. Up front, Franklin County returns right tackle Anthony Moore (6-foot-4-inches, 275 pounds), left guard Brayden Back (6-foot, 215 pounds), right guard Robbie Parsons (6-foot-1-inch, 250 pounds) and center Cameron Smith (6-foot, 230 pounds). Moore, Parsons and Smith are seniors, while Back is a junior.

Under center this season will be transfer Adam Kelly, a 6-foot-3-inch, 225 pound senior.

Defensively, Franklin County is loaded, as the Wildcats return 10 starters.

Nose guard Clayton Bolser (6-foot-1-inch, 245 pounds) is back, as are defensive ends Sam Westerfeld (6-foot-1-inch, 290 pounds) and Garrett Ertel (6-foot, 215 pounds). Linebackers Kaden Erfman (6-foot-3-inches, 195 pounds), Austin Hill (6-foot-2-inches, 200 pounds), Josh Bauman (5-foot-11-inches, 185 pounds), Bridger Bolos (5-foot-10 inches, 180 pounds), and Andrew Merritt (5-foot-8 inches, 150 pounds) all return.

In the secondary, Schatzle and Evan Seal (5-foot-8-inches, 155 pounds) both return.

“We are deeper than we’ve been in the past, but we also need to stay healthy at key positions,” Gillman said.

Gillman told Sideline Prep Sports Report that the success of his team this year hinges on their mental toughness.

“We have the talent to beat a lot of teams on our schedule, but do these guys have the attitude to beat the big boys? I think we have the talent to win the championships that have been eluding this school for the past 20 years. It’s going to take an attitude and mental toughness to break down that barrier. They’ve got to want it more and be tougher longer,” Gillman said.