[Stardust]

The Franklin-Simpson football team avenged two years of frustration Friday night, defeating Lone Oak 20-7 in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A playoffs in Paducah.

Click here for more photos from Friday’s games.

The Wildcats (12-1) had been eliminated from the postseason by the Purple Flash in each of the last two seasons.

Franklin-Simpson had 304 rushing yards Friday, 290 of them from senior running backs Darrius and Jerrell Wickware. The cousins scored all three FSHS touchdowns, including runs of 4 and 52 yards by Jerrell Wickware in the first quarter.

The Wildcats missed their second extra point attempt and led 13-0 with 2:18 to go in the first.

Darrius Wickware added a 1-yard touchdown run with 3:17 to play in the first half. Franklin-Simpson’s defense did the rest, only giving up a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cole Ousley to Felix Colon in the third quarter.

Ousley completed 23 of 37 passes for 209 yards, with two interceptions.

Darrius Wickware finished with 151 rushing yards on a game-high 27 carrie. Jerrell Wickware finished with 139 rushing yards.

The Wildcats return home for the state semifinal next week, when they’ll host Collins. The Titans (11-2) advanced with a 13-12 win over Western.