Simon Spath kicked a 29-yard field goal as time expired in regulation to clinch the 3A state championship for Franklin High School football.
The Indians defeated the defending state champion Linganore Lancers 17-14 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Franklin scored on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter. Vernon Brown’s 69-yard touchdown pass to Felton Mekai tied the game 7-7. Elijah Solomon then tacked on a rushing touchdown.
Franklin’s defense recovered a fumble in their own end zone with five seconds remaining in the first half to keep the game 14-7 at halftime.
Linganore’s Joseph Felton rushed for a TD as the Lancers tied the game with 4:50 to go in the ballgame.
Spath’s kick gave the Indians their third state championship and first since back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014.
Franklin ends the season with a record of 12-2.
Follow Shawn Stepner on Twitter @StepnerWMAR and Facebook
