How Ballard football earned respect in blowout win over Franklin County

Louisville Courier Journal

Historically stuck in the shadow of Class 6A juggernauts like St. Xavier, Male and Trinity, Ballard has the potential to upset the status quo in 2022.

Ballard improved to 4-0 Friday night after crushing Class 4A contender Franklin County 44-8 at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Field. The Bruins flexed their muscles on offense, defense and special teams, easily cruising to the win.

"We just worried about them one game at a time," Ballard coach Adrian Morton said.

"We played well enough to win. but there are some things we need to clean up. But at the end of the day, the whole focus this week was going 1-0, and we saw some good things. We'll figure it out Monday and just get ready for our next opponent."

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Here's how the Bruins' win unfolded Friday night:

What it means

Ballard quarterback Tristian Hawkins gets off a pass against Male High. Aug. 26, 2022

After upsetting Male two weeks ago, Ballard proved that it could be a legitimate contender in Class 6A. Friday night only strengthened those claims. Franklin County was no slouch. The Flyers were a Class 4A semifinalist last season and state runners-up the year before. Led by University of Kentucky football commit Kaden Moorman, Franklin County entered looking for a competitive cross-state showdown but were dominated out the gate.

If Ballard keeps playing as sound as it did Friday, it could be a special season for the Bruins. Ballard improved to 4-0 for the first time this millennium and is showing that it may have what it takes to compete with the best teams around the state.

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Key moment

Ballard's running back Journey Wyche (21) looks back to see if he is being pursued by the Franklin County defense as he scores a touchdown during the first half of their game at Ballard High School, Friday, Sept. 9 2022 in Louisville Ky.

After going up 6-0 early in the first quarter, Ballard's first play back on defense set the tone for the rest of the evening. Ballard's Jaden Minkins intercepted Franklin County's Gavin Hurst and returned the ball to the 1-yard line before being shoved out of bounds.

Ballard would go on to score one play later, a Kannon Wyche 1-yard run, extending its lead to 13-0.

Minkins's night was just beginning, though. The senior wide receiver and defensive back returned a punt 44 yards for a touchdown before the half. His interception in the first quarter, however, secured the Bruins momentum within minutes of the game beginning.

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By the numbers

This season Ballard has outscored its opponents 119-15. Holding Hopkinsville and South Oldham scoreless while keeping Male and Franklin County under 10 points deserves a tip of the cap. The Bruins have forced 10 turnovers (five fumble recoveries and five interceptions) and are stacked with speed and physicality.

Friday night was the second straight game Ballard's offense eclipsed the 40-point benchmark. Including Hawkins, seven different Bruins found the endzone (Maurice Stephens, Kannon Wyche, Steven Shanklin, Jaden Minkins, Journey Wyche and Grant Berkley). Hawkins believes that the Bruins' versatility makes it difficult for defenses to game plan against them.

"It keeps defenses on their heels because we have athletes that can go get the ball in the air," Hawkins said. "Plus our linemen do a good job up front which opens up the run game."

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Up next

Ballard's running back Journey Wyche (21) takes a handoff from quarterback Tristian Hawkins (6) during the first half of their game against Franklin County at Ballard High School, Friday, Sept. 9 2022 in Louisville Ky.

Ballard's had homefield advantage in three of its first four games but will soon prove if it can win on the road. The Bruins kick off a three-game stretch of away games next week at Butler. Last season, the Bruins defeated the Bears 49-0 and have not lost to Butler since 1999.

The Bruins' schedule gets tougher following its meeting with Butler. The following week, Ballard takes on fellow undefeated Class 6A contender Manual before finally finishing the road trip at Trinity on Oct. 7.

They said it

Hawkins on Ballard's belief in itself every time it steps on the field: "We're about earning our respect. That's what it's been all about. That's what Coach Morton and all the coaches have preached about. It's just earning our respect each game and going 1-0 each week."

Follow Courier Journal reporter J.L. Kirven on Twitter @JL_Kirven for more updates on Louisville prep sports.

Ballard 20 17 7 0 — 44

Franklin County 0 8 0 0 — 8

Records: Ballard (4-0), Franklin County (1-3)