The Tennessee high school football season enters Week 7 with a heavy dose of games that will be played on Thursday. But one of the marquee matches in the Nashville area will take play at 7 p.m. Friday when Franklin travels to Brentwood in a Region 6-6A game.
The two Williamson County rivals have played 46 times since 1985 and Brentwood (5-1, 2-0) has won eight straight against the Admirals (4-2, 2-0). Franklin hasn’t enjoyed a dominant period against Brentwood since it won 10 of 12 games from 1985 to 1996.
The answer?
After a tumultuous three seasons, that included a winless 2022, Franklin has put the past behind it with new coach Josh Adkins. The Admirals are enjoying their best season since 2020, when they finished 7-6 and made the Class 6A quarterfinals. Adkins has unlocked an offense that struggled to remain consistent last season, despite showing flashes of explosiveness.
Stream Franklin at Brentwood live on NFHS Network 
Giving credit where credit is due
While offensive numbers always take center stage, Brentwood has been fueled by its defense, particularly in the past three games. The Bruins haven’t given up more than six points in those games and only 12 combined. Even in its one loss, Brentwood gave up only 16 points to Brentwood Academy in Week 2. Linebacker William Stockhoff leads an impressive group with 64 tackles, averaging 10 a game. Nine other Brentwood players have 25 or more tackles this season.
Three Franklin players who matter
QB Brewer Wilson: Wilson’s dominant performance against Summit last week led to 258 yards passing and five touchdowns.
WR Sean Gaca: While Wilson was putting the ball in the air, Gaca was among the wideouts who benefited. He had five catches for 65 yards and a TD in last week’s 38-7 win.
WR Lucas Young: Young was the most productive of Wilson’s targets with four receptions for 120 yards and a TD.
Three Brentwood players who matter
QB Canon Kinder: Kinder has been solid as Brentwood’s starting quarterback. He had 96 yards passing and two TDs in a 42-6 win over Overton.
QB J.C. White: White shares the quarterback duties with Kinder. He added 68 yards passing and a TD last week.
WR Clayton Merrill: An Austin Peay commitment, Merrill caught six passes for 79 yards.
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Franklin’s remaining TSSAA football schedule
Oct. 18: at Ravenwood
Oct. 25: at Mt. Juliet
Nov. 1: vs. John Overton
Brentwood’s remaining TSSAA football schedule
Oct. 11: vs. Centennial
Oct. 25: at Independence
Nov. 1: at Ravenwood
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Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.
