FC boys soccer tops Coffee County for road district win

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The Franklin County High School boys soccer team beat the Coffee County Raiders 3-0 on the road Thursday for the team’s fourth win of the season.

Franklin County took the lead midway through the first half and expanded on it throughout the rest of the district contest as the team recorded its third shutout victory of the season.

Franklin County head soccer coach Kent Bean said he was pleased with the effort his team showed in the physical game.

“I think what we lack in technical ability, we definitely make up for in hustle and playing hard. It got a little ugly there for a bit and got a little chippy, but the guys didn’t let it get to them and kept a level head,” he said.

Franklin County was without starting goalkeeper Octavio Martinez for the game with freshman Loui Arellano stepping into the role.

“Usually when somebody gets tossed into that position, they’re going to be nervous, scared, not really quite mentally in it, but from the first time we mentioned it, (Loui) had an incredible attitude about it,” Bean said. “He’s willing to do whatever for the rest of the team, and he did that tonight. He stepped up.”

Arellano played a majority of the contest in the goal with Riccardo Tracchi taking his place late in the second half.

The first goal of the day for Franklin County came off the foot of a Coffee County defender as a corner kick by Franklin County’s Josiah Cruz was deflected into the net for an own goal with about 22 minutes left in the first half.

The lead would be doubled four minutes later as Rylan Banks sent a long pass up the middle to Kevin Hernandez, and Hernandez outran the defense and fired a shot into the net for his fifth goal of the season.

Franklin County led 2-0 at halftime.

Franklin County was awarded a penalty kick about 10 minutes into the second half when Cason Eslick was taken down from behind by a defender in the goal box, and Banks nailed the ensuing kick to make it a 3-0 game on his fifth goal of the year.

Franklin County’s offense kept up the pressure on Coffee County’s goal for the rest of the night despite not scoring again as they won by three.

With the win, Franklin County improved to 4-3 on the season and 1-1 in district play.

The boys soccer team will next play Tuesday at home against Warren County High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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