The 2A 10th-ranked Hagerstown football team, members of the Tri-Eastern Conference, defeated visiting Frankton, members of the Central Indiana Conference, Friday, Oct. 23, to open postseason play.
The Tigers used a stifling defense, a record-setting kicking game, a breakout performance from a sophomore running back and a balanced offensive attack to subdue the Eagles. The Tigers, who trailed 6-0 to start the game, ended the game on a 43-0 run en route to a 56-12 win.
The Eagles won the pregame coin toss, elected to receive, and scored on their first drive with a 12-yard run from Rowan Branham to take a 6-0 lead.
The Tigers answered with a five-play drive capped off by a 5-yard quarterback keeper from Graham Vinson to tie the game. Calvin Delgas kicked the extra point to give the Tigers a 7-6 lead with 7:50 remaining in the first quarter.
About three minutes later, after the teams exchanged possessions and with the Tigers facing a fourth-and-eight situation, Delgas came back on the field to attempt a 42-yard field goal. The kick was good, breaking the school record of 41 yards previously set by Delgas and giving the Tigers a 10-6 advantage.
The Eagles fought back. The Eagles threw a pass near the goal line that was intercepted, then fumbled and recovered by the Eagles at the 3-yard line. With a first and goal from only 3 yards out, the Tiger defense kept them out of the end zone. Facing a fourth and goal to open the second quarter, the Eagles attempted a field goal but the Tiger defense blocked it and the Eagles turned the ball over on downs.
Two minutes later, with the Tigers facing a fourth and five, Delgas came back on the field for a 44-yard field goal attempt. The kick was good, breaking the school record he had established only minutes earlier.
The Eagles responded with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Branham to Aison Barker with 7:39 remaining in the first half to cut their deficit to 13-12. The Tigers elevated their play and Frankton never scored again.
Vinson scored with 53 seconds remaining in the first half on a 2-yard run. Delgas added the PAT to extend the Tiger lead to 20-12. Frankton fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Arlin Berger scooped the ball up and ran it in from 20 yards out to score. Cooper Porter scored on a two-point conversion to give the Tigers a 28-12 halftime lead.
The second half was all Hagerstown and the Tigers introduced a new old weapon. Sophomore running back Lincoln Small, the Tigers’ leading rusher last season, who missed the first seven games of the season with an injury and only had 11 carries for 31 yards in his last two games, gained 29 yards the first time he touched the ball. He ended his night gaining 170 yards on 14 carries and rushed for a touchdown.
Tiger head coach Scott Snodgrass joked after the game that he went to Small when he left the game late in the fourth quarter and said “Welcome back.”
Vinson completed 9 of 18 passes for 177 yards, including a 22-yard TD pass to Fletcher Callahan, and the Tigers rushed for 359 yards. Small led the ground attack. Vinson gained 90 yards on 10 carries and scored three touchdowns. Mason Hunt gained 81 yards on eight carries. Porter closed out the scoring with a 1-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. Nick Tinkle was the leading receiver, pulling in three passes for 106 yards, one for 80 yards that set up a touchdown. Delgas kicked two field goals and six extra points.
Snodgrass was pleased with his team’s performance. “Frankton reminds me of Shenandoah,” Snodgrass said. “They are physical, they are athletic, and they fight on every play. Overall our kids stayed focused and followed the game plan. I was proud of them. Lincoln Small is finally healthy and he had a game where he could show what he is capable of. That will help his confidence. Our defense played very well and so did special teams.”
With the win, Hagerstown will advance to the sectional semifinal game on Friday, Oct. 30, where they will face Shenandoah Raiders on the road.
Hagerstown (10-0) 10 18 21 7 56
Frankton (2-8) 6 6 0 0 12
A version of this article will appear in the October 28 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
