FRANKLIN FINALLY BREAKS THROUGH: COUGARS ROAR PAST PARKLAND 62-13

By PREP1 Sports | September 18, 2026 Three games of frustration. Three close looks at what could have been. Then, on Friday night, the Franklin Cougars finally put it all together. Franklin erupted for 48 first-half points and never looked back, rolling past the Parkland Matadors 62-13 in a Week 4 non-district matchup at Franklin Stadium. The victory gave the Cougars their first win of the season, moving them to 1-3, while Parkland dropped to 1-3 after its third consecutive loss. A FAST START THAT NEVER STOPPED From the opening whistle, Franklin played with a sense of urgency. The Cougars built a commanding 48-7 halftime advantage, turning what had been a winless start to the season into an opportunity to make a statement. Franklin ultimately finished with 62 points, its highest scoring total of the season and nearly matching its entire scoring output from its first three games combined. The Cougars had entered the night averaging just 15 points per game after losses to Chapin, Midland Legacy and Andress. Against Parkland, the offense finally found its rhythm. THE COUGARS RESPOND The victory was especially meaningful considering how close Franklin had come the previous week. On Sept. 11, the Cougars suffered a heartbreaking 20-17 loss to unbeaten Andress, a game that came down to the final minutes. One week later, Franklin left no doubt. The Cougars controlled the game from the opening half and continued to add to their advantage after halftime, securing their first win of 2026. For a team that had experienced three straight losses, Friday provided a much-needed reset. PARKLAND'S OFFENSE STRUGGLES Parkland entered the matchup after a competitive opening month that included a 44-41 victory over Riverside and a narrow 35-34 loss to Hobbs. The Matadors then dropped consecutive games to Canutillo and Franklin. Against Franklin, Parkland managed 71 passing yards, 56 receiving yards and 169 rushing yards, according to MaxPreps' game statistics. The Matadors now enter district play looking to regroup and reverse their current three-game slide. A NEW CHAPTER FOR FRANKLIN Friday's win doesn't erase the difficult opening three weeks. It does, however, give Franklin something every team needs: momentum. The Cougars now have an extended break before opening District 1-6A play against Socorro on October 2. The Bulldogs enter that matchup at 2-1. Parkland, meanwhile, will return home Sept. 25 to face El Paso High School before beginning its own district schedule. For Franklin, Friday night was about more than the final score. It was about finally putting four quarters together. 62 points. 48 before halftime. One first win. The Cougars have officially put Week 4 in the rearview mirror — and they'll enter October with a clean slate and their first victory of the season. FINAL: FRANKLIN 62, PARKLAND 13 PHOTO: @Dallen.Shoots - Contributor