Franklin scores last to edge rival Cleveland 34-27

Bradley gets three TDs, two on the ground, in hard-fought nonleague game

By Steve Brandon

The Portland Tribune, Sep 26, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

L.E. BASKOW / THE PORTLAND TRIBUNE

Franklin punt returner Jordan Bird breaks a long one for a touchdown to give the Quakers a 20-13 third-quarter lead over Cleveland. Franklin went on to win 34-27.

In one of the hardest-fought and most evenly-matched games ever between them, the Franklin Quakers scored the last of nine touchdowns to turn back the Cleveland Warriors 34-27 Friday night at Franklin.

It was a nonleague clash, but you couldn’t tell that from the intensity, as both teams gave terrific efforts and fought through some injuries.

Franklin’s Deshawn Bradley, a 6-3, 200-pounder who normally lines up at wide receiver, scored out of the backfield on runs of 8 and 1 yards for the Quakers’ final two touchdowns.

His second score broke a 27-27 tie with 5:41 remaining.

Cleveland went three-and-out and punted, and then forced a Franklin punt with 3 1/2 minutes remaining. A roughing-the-punter penalty enabled the Quakers to keep possession, until they were stopped on downs again.

Franklin punted into the end zone, giving Cleveland the ball at its 20-yard line with 1:42 left.

The Warriors got to their 46 before free safety Bradley intercepted a pass with about 40 seconds left to end the Cleveland bid.

Franklin improved to 4-1 and will have a bye next week before starting PIL 6A league play Oct. 10 against Grant, in a game scheduled to be played at Lincoln.

Cleveland (1-4) also is off next week. The Warriors will begin PIL 5A action Oct. 9 with a home game against defending league champion Jefferson.

Both teams took a lot from Friday’s Southeast Portland rivalry. Franklin proved again that it can reach back and win down the stretch. Cleveland showed that it has come a long way already this season under new coach Gary Sletmoe, a former Franklin assistant.

“It was a typical Franklin-Cleveland game,” Quaker coach Richard Lex said. “Cleveland played hard. It was more physical than I thought it would be.”

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