By Dave Abbott of NELA Sports One
With a record of 6-0, the Panthers of Franklin High remain undefeated as local football teams gear up for another round of competition on Friday.
The Panthers’ latest victory, on Sept. 30, was against the Eagles of Eagle Rock High in the ‘Battle of the Principal’s Trophy.’ Both teams were undefeated going into the game, which was tied at halftime, 7-7. But the Panthers dominated the second half for a final score of 30-13.
The win means that Franklin Principal Regina Marquez-Martinez will retain the trophy for the second year in a row. It also means that Franklin is gaining on Eagle Rock in the 16-year history of the Principal’s Trophy series, which now stands at 9 wins for Eagle Rock and 7 for Franklin.
The Panthers will travel to Granada Hills on Friday to play a non-league game against the Golden Cougars of John F. Kennedy High School.
Eagle Rock will celebrate homecoming on Friday, hosting the Wilson Mules of El Sereno in Northern League competition. The Lincoln Tigers of Lincoln Heights will also celebrate homecoming on Friday, hosting the Marshall Barristers of Los Feliz in league play.
Both Lincoln and Marshall will enter Friday’s matchup with recent wins to their credit. Last week, Lincoln defeated Wilson 56-0 in the ‘Battle of the Belt’ and Marshall defeated West Adams 28-8.
In other football news, girls flag football is getting closer to becoming a reality.
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), which governs interscholastic athletics in the state, will vote in January on whether to implement girls flag football. If passed, the sport would start in the fall of 2023.
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