FRANKLIN – The last time Franklin High School hosted Grace Christian Academy of nearby Leiper’s Fork, it was for the 2020 season opener and the match didn’t disappoint despite the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic quickly closing in and ultimately eliminating the rest of the spring sports season.
The Lions were coming off the school’s first Class A state title in 2019, while Franklin – a veteran team loaded with 13 seniors – was looking to contend for the Class AAA crown. The match ended in a 2-2 draw and unfortunately, it marked the final contest for both teams in the coronavirus-stricken year. In the months that followed, both schools suffered more crushing heartache with the tragic passing of close friends and former teammates.
Jake’s final high school match was against GCA last March 11, while Grant – a standout baseball player in the spring – was likely in the stands cheering on his soccer buds.
With everything 2020 took away, the two Williamson County schools planned Monday’s return to the pitch to not only play once again more than a year removed from the field, but to remember Jake and Grant.
“Tonight was special … it brought both of communities back together and we all wanted something to honor the memories of these kids,” Franklin coach Mike Burgoyne said. “It’s been really tough. I know it’s been hard for the GCA community as well and this match last year, well that’s one of the last memories we have of Jake on the field and it was against GCA.”
Harvey’s No. 6 and Solomon’s baseball No. 11 were both recognized with silver balloons in front of a large crowd. The two teams locked arms at midfield and shared a moment of remembrance prior to kickoff.
“Last season getting taken away from us really opened all our eyes how nothing is promised,” said GCA coach David DeFatta, who actually played middle school soccer for Burgoyne at Grassland Middle. “We know that soccer can be taken away and we learned through Grant and Jake that life can be taken away.
“I know we’re both trying to teach our guys to live each day in the moment to really live with excellence each and every day.”
Just like Grant and Jake.
The sidelines Monday were loaded with former players and friends and families of both Jake and Grant. College freshmen Logan Brady and Zachary Swartz were among Jake’s teammates from last year in attendance. The pair each scored a goal in that final match more than a year ago.
“It felt right at home to be back on this field and it brought out a lot of emotions and memories,” Swartz said. He and other Franklin seniors joined the two teams on the field for the moving pre-game tribute.
Franklin will honor Jake each season by featuring a player in his No. 6 jersey if that player displays the same qualities on and off the field. That jersey is vacant for now.
“He was our leader and I’ll always remember his energy,” Brady said. “His number is definitely one to remember.”
“Knowing that his legacy is going to keep on going here, I love it,” Swartz added. “I like how they have to contribute like Jake did and earn it.”
Monday’s match went scoreless through the first 40 minutes as both teams battled in their season openers in a physical contest. The atmosphere and level of a play didn’t match that of a typical March match between non-league opponents – and ones with little practice time together and no game experience since the last meeting.
GCA senior Malachi Jones broke loose for the match’s first goal in the 46th minute, slipping by several defenders down the left side before placing the ball to the back of the net. Four minutes later Shun Wakatsuki pulled the home team even with a header off an AJ Elliot ball to make it 1-1.
Jones continued to pressure the Franklin defense and came up with two looks on goal in the next 10 minutes. His one breakaway was thwarted by freshman keeper Aiden Moss when the youngster slid in for a heavy collision with the speedy senior to stop the attack.
“He’s one of the better players I’ve seen at the high school level – he’s great,” Burgoyne said of Jones. “And on a field like ours with so much space, he’s just fantastic.
“Ultimately, I thought it was a very even match. I know neither of these teams are going to look like this a month from now, we’re just going to get better.”
Moss produced another big save in the 64th on another attack from Jones. The young keeper advanced on the senior and quickly deflected a low shot for a huge save. Franklin had come up empty on several corner kicks prior and had a shot from Finn Jacobs sail wide right after Moss’s save.
Levi Jones, Malachi’s younger brother, had his shot deflected into the right post in the 72nd and Wakatsuki’s right-footed blast from the top of the box had too much power on it and sailed over the goal in the 75th.
Levi Jones had another look in the 77th – an arcing shot toward the right post. Moss again got a hand on the ball, but the deflection trickled in front of the goal where Zach Ries scored uncontested after flying in for the rapid rebound.
GCA kept Franklin at bay over the final 150 seconds and escaped with a 2-1 win.
“I was just like, I’m going to follow this up and I don’t get many opportunities like that, so I wanted to give it all I can,” said Ries, one of 17 seniors on the Lions roster. “I’m just going to give it to God. Give it to Jake and to Grant, I mean, that’s kind of what this game was about.”
“I’m so glad Zach was there to follow that,” said Malachi Jones, who also quickly turned the conversation back to Jake and Grant. “I can’t speak for Franklin and I’m sure Jake was a great guy, but I miss Grant everyday – just him walking around the lockers and seeing his smiling face. He greeted everyone. I know we all miss that.”