SHORT GAP, W.Va. — Julian Pattison toted the ball for 229 of Frankfort’s 306 rushing yards as the Falcons advanced to the Class AA semifinals for the second time in three seasons with a 27-6 win over Bluefield.
Pattison opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 77-yard touchdown run and he later added scoring runs of 27 and 3 yards.
“He was huge. He ran his tail off,” said Frankfort head coach Kevin Whiteman. “I am very proud of him. I am proud of the whole team. The line did a great job and Pattison ran like a man.
“We made a few small adjustments to our blocking schemes at halftime. They came out an executed them. And I couldn’t be more proud of our kids.”
Frankfort (12-0) led 14-0 after the first quarter. In addition to Pattison’s lengthy touchdown run, Carder Shanholtz scored on a nine-yard run.
Bluefield’s defense helped to get the Beavers on the scoreboard in the second quarter. Jaden Francisco’s first of two fumble recoveries in the game at the Frankfort 40-yard line set BHS up with a short field early in the second quarter. Jeff King cashed in on the turnover with a three-yard touchdown run. However, those would be the only points the Frankfort defense allowed.
“We wanted to stop the big play. And we were able to do that. We gave up a few big plays. But we didn’t let them capitalize on it. It was a great defensive effort and a great team effort. I felt like we battled through a lot of adversity but we kept fighting. Those [two] fumbles killed us. We can’t do that in these big games. But we kept scratching and clawing.”
The No. 1 Falcons will host No. 4 Williamstown (10-2) in the Class AA semifinal round next weekend. Frankfort won at Williamstown, 27-7 on October 19. The Yellowjackets are back-to-back state champions.
“They are a very tough, well-coached football team. What I like about them, they play like us and they are very physical. We know it is going to be a tough battle. We’ve got to be locked in this week, prepared and come out ready for battle. We are facing a very good team.”