Go wild, Wildcats: Franklin defeats Elk Grove for 1st time in more than a decade

For more than a decade, Franklin High football players have circled one game on the calendar — the night they get another crack at Elk Grove.

On Friday, the Wildcats finally cashed in, ending a 13-year drought against their crosstown rival with a resounding 24-8 home victory at Cosumnes Oaks High that felt like more than just another league win.

From the opening drive, Franklin dictated every detail of the game. Junior quarterback Braylon Robinson came out firing, connecting with receiver Jamal Fairley for a touchdown strike that set the tone. By the end of the night, the Wildcats had piled up three scores — Robinson’s touchdown pass, a tough inside run from Jaeden Haselrig and a bruising finish from sophomore playmaker Mason Towne — while their defense made sure Elk Grove never seriously threatened.

Elk Grove’s lone highlight came late, when senior quarterback Hudson Hall powered in a short rushing touchdown, but the Herd spent most of the evening bottled up. Franklin defenders swarmed to the ball, with Haselrig and Towne each snagging interceptions to snuff out drives before they had a chance to develop.

“This team is gritty, man. They fight,” Franklin coach Joseph McCray said. “Everybody overlooks them, but they came into the season wanting to be recognized for their efforts — not asking for anything to be given, but willing to work for it. They’ve been putting in the work, and tonight it showed.”

Franklin’s dominance wasn’t flashy, but it was absolute. The Wildcats controlled the line of scrimmage, leaned on their running game, and trusted Robinson to make plays in the air when needed. The junior quarterback credited his linemen — a group that has been pieced together with veterans and newcomers — for giving him the time to work.

“They did a great job,” Robinson said, pointing out Logan Braden, Tarun Atwaal, Elijah Montano and center Anthony Eustace by name. “We even had a freshman pulled up this week, and he did a great job. It was just a total team effort.”

Robinson’s poise gave Franklin balance, but it was Haselrig who provided the spark. The junior running back, just a few weeks removed from injury, ran with a mix of power and speed that Elk Grove couldn’t match. His touchdown run capped a drive built on tough yards, and his interception on defense swung momentum squarely in Franklin’s favor.

“It feels great, man,” Haselrig said afterward, beaming. “It’s our first time beating them in 13 years, and it feels good to finally do it. Franklin is on the map this year. Everybody better be watching out for us.”

For Franklin, the victory went far beyond the scoreboard. Elk Grove has long been one of the area’s flagship programs, a traditional power that sets the standard in the Delta League. Beating the Herd was something no Franklin team had done since 2012.

“You could feel it all week, the energy was different,” Robinson said. “We knew the type of game it was going to be, and we just executed.”

McCray admitted this one carried extra weight. “We haven’t beat Elk Grove High in 13 years,” he said. “At Franklin, we haven’t won league in 13 years. Those are the things these kids are striving for: winning league, winning every week. They’re not satisfied, but nights like this show what they can do.”

The Wildcats improved to 1-0 in league play with the victory and, more importantly, signaled they could be a real contender in Elk Grove and beyond. The team believes the win could be the first step toward something bigger.

“I feel like we could dominate this whole league and go very far in the playoffs if we just keep up how we’ve been playing recently,” Haselrig said.

Robinson echoed that optimism, pointing to a program goal that has lingered just out of reach.

“This season, we want to go to the playoffs for the first time in a long time,” he said. “We want to get some wins and break some records”

By the final whistle, Franklin’s sideline was buzzing with the realization of what had just happened. Players embraced, coaches exhaled, and the home Wildcats fans in the bleachers roared like the game was a championship.

For McCray, it was a validation of the grind. For Haselrig, it was proof Franklin belongs in the conversation with the city’s best. For Robinson, it was a step toward rewriting the Wildcats’ history.

And for the rest of Elk Grove, it was a reminder that the balance of power in the city may be shifting.

“Only time will tell,” McCray said, looking ahead. “But if they put in the work like they did this week, sky’s the limit.”