UPDATE:
Franklin County honored local veterans during the game, with players wearing specialty jerseys thanks to the National Guard.
The Patriots started strong on their first drive. On third-and-long from their 22-yard line, Winston Davenport threw a deep pass to Daniel Ramsey, who made a wide-open touchdown catch to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead.
At the end of the first quarter, the Patriots’ defense made a key play on fourth down. Fred Calloway intercepted a pass, stopping the Eagles’ drive.
The Patriots capitalized on the turnover. Jake Painter connected with Cam Hairston-Taylor, who broke tackles and scored a 40-yard touchdown. The successful two-point conversion gave the Patriots an 8-7 lead.
Later in the quarter, Painter threw another precise pass to Hairston-Taylor for a 28-yard touchdown, extending the Patriots’ lead to 15-7.
Just before halftime, Hairston-Taylor made an incredible catch, described as “You got mossed!” Damarion Perdue finished the drive with a short touchdown run, putting the Patriots ahead 22-7 at the break.
The Eagles narrowed the gap to eight points, but the Patriots’ defense remained tough. Perdue scored two more touchdowns in the second half, helping the Patriots secure a 36-14 victory and improve to 3-0 on the season.
Week 3 of the high school football season brings one of the most intriguing matchups so far: Patrick Henry at Franklin County. Both teams remain undefeated, and tonight marks their first meeting in more than a decade.
The Patriots and Eagles last faced off in 2014, making this clash not only rare but a true early-season measuring stick. Both squads come into the game with momentum and confidence, setting the stage for a Friday night classic.
Patriots’ Strength: Defense and Depth
Patrick Henry’s defense has been nearly impenetrable through two weeks, allowing just 10 total points. With most starters returning this season, expectations have been high from the start.
“We’ve had high expectations for the team,” said Patriots linebacker George Casteel. “Everyone came in with high hopes.”
Offensively, the Patriots bring plenty of firepower, including Syracuse commit Cameron Hairston-Taylor and sophomore quarterback Jake Painter. Senior wideout and safety Josiah Fleming says the defensive unit has been setting the tone.
“Coach Wade has been getting us right,” Fleming said. “We’ve been doing our thing, having that dog mentality.”
Eagles Flying High
Franklin County is enjoying its best start since the spring of 2021, soaring to a 2-0 record behind quarterback Winston Davenport and a balanced attack. The Eagles’ early-season résumé includes a marquee win at Salem.
“Everyone knows what to do, everyone has their job and is doing it well,” Davenport said. “They understand that football is a team sport.”
Wide receiver Reid McElvain added that the Eagles are feeding off the energy of their hot start. “It’s exciting—a different environment now, and we’re trying to keep it going.”
A True Test for Both
Both programs come into tonight’s matchup unbeaten, confident, and ready to prove they belong among the region’s best. With star power on both sidelines and history adding fuel to the fire, the Patrick Henry–Franklin County clash promises to deliver.
For a full breakdown of scores across our region, click here.