photo by Kenneth Boone

Home sweet home: Horseshoe Bend quarterback Josh Price runs during the Generals’ 33-9 home win against Ranburne. The win snapped a 15-game home losing streak for HBHS and puts the Generals at 2-1 on the season.

Generals blast Ranburne, end home losing streak

By Roger Steele (Contact) | Alex City Outlook

Published Saturday, September 12, 2009

Hours before the Class 2A, Region 5 showdown with the Ranburne Bulldogs, Horseshoe Bend head coach Jason Franklin didn’t want to think about the 3-year home losing streak his team so desperately wanted to snap.

Instead, he focused on a game plan designed to show off his offensive skill players.

It worked.

The Generals (2-1, 1-1) rolled over the Bulldogs (1-2, 1-1) 33-9 in a game that featured several big plays from quarterback Josh Price and running back Brandon Thomas.

“It feels great to break that streak and get the monkey off our back,” Franklin said. “We knew we could win at home by playing hard, fast, executing well and playing as a team. I’m so proud of those boys.”

The Generals got off to a quick start on the second play of the game when Price connected with Kendall Thomas on a 75-yard touchdown pass, to put the Generals up 6-0 with 11:37 left in the first quarter.

Ranburne responded with an 11-play, 77-yard drive ending with quarterback Daniel Chambers tossing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Janney. The Bulldogs led 7-6 after making the extra point.

With 4:26 remaining in the first quarter, the Generals took over the game for good with a quick succession of big plays. The first one came when Brandon Thomas bullied his way into the end zone for a 21-yard score.

After the General’s defense stiffened and forced the Bulldogs to punt, Brandon Thomas struck again on a 95-yard scamper that extended Horseshoe Bend’s lead to 21-7 with 9:03 remaining in the second quarter.

“Brandon played great for us tonight,” Franklin said. “His running in the first half got us a big lead that helped us out.”

Brandon Thomas rushed for 149 yards on 10 carries in the first half.

Not to be outdone by Brandon Thomas, Price rambled into the end zone on a 2-yard run with 5:46 left in the half.

Behind 27-7 going into the third quarter, Ranburne showed some signs of life by putting together a 9-play drive that reached the Horseshoe Bend 32-yard line. However, the Generals defense stuffed a 4th down play that ended any hope of a Bulldog victory.

Price applied the icing on the cake when he connected with Clay Phillips on a 62-yard strike that led to a 33-7 score.

“Josh Price had a great game for us tonight,” Franklin said. “He can take us as far as he wants to this year. When we put him in, good things happen.”

Ranburne scored the final points of the game on a safety with 6:48 left in the fourth quarter.

But those final points didn’t seem to matter to the home crowd.

As the final seconds ticked off, the celebration began. Coach Franklin got a well-deserved Gatorade bath from his players as the crowd shouted their approval.

The Generals hope to continue their winning ways when they travel to Lanette Friday night.

Ranburne hosts Randolph County.

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