No. 1 Paducah Tilghman beats No. 5 Franklin County 27-20 to win fourth state title, first since 2009

PStevensKSR

tilghman-beats-franklin-fourth-title-first-since-2009 — Photo of Paducah Tilghman celebration by KSR

Coming into Friday night, both No. 1 Paducah Tilghman (14-0) and No. 5 Franklin County (13-0) were undefeated, but only one team could reign victorious following the Class 4A State Championship Game. Both had been dominant on their respective paths to Kroger Field, but who would stand tall in the end— the immovable object or the unstoppable force?

Once it was all said and done, it was Paducah Tilghman who would finish the 2024 season unblemished, beating the Flyers 27-20.

The game started off in back-and-forth fashion. Tilghman would get the ball first, but their opening drive would be put to an end thanks to an interception by Delano Collins. Following the play, running back Jack Oldham would take it 23 yards to the house to give the Flyers the early 7-0 lead. However, Tilghman quarterback Jack James would find four-star Kentucky signee Martels Carter for a 38-yard touchdown through the air. The PAT following the score was blocked, so it was 7-6 Flyers through one.

#1 P. Tilghman 6 | #5 Franklin Co. 7 | 3:50 1Q

Jack James finds Martels Carter for a 38-yard TOUCHDOWN!

The PAT is BLOCKED by the Flyers.

GAME THREAD: https://t.co/IwLCji4eH4 pic.twitter.com/vWzw8zCOdJ
— Phoenix Stevens (@PStevensKSR) December 7, 2024

Carter would put on the Superman cape in the second quarter to give the Blue Tornado the lead. Following a 37-yard jump ball reception, the 6-foot-1 safety would take a direct snap and take it into himself to make it 14-7 following a successful two-point try. Franklin County had a chance to tie the game up soon after, but after a wide open receiver slipped in the end zone on 3rd down, they went to settle for a field goal, but a bad snap resulted in no points on the drive. At the half, it was be 14-7 Tilghman.

Quarter number three started off fairly slow, but with 4:26 to go, Jack James would punch it on an a quarterback keeper to extend the lead, making it a 20-7 game. The ensuing PAT was blocked. Then, Franklin County’s Jacob Taylor would get open to make it a 20-13 game (yes, another unsuccessful PAT) at the end of the period.

The fourth quarter, however, got started with a bang as Carter would blow by the secondary to make a spectacular catch for a 51-yard gain.

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#1 P. Tilghman 27 | #5 Franklin Co. 13 | 10:02 4Q

Jack James found Martels Carter for a 51-yard play through the air, then the Blue Tornado pounded the rock into the end zone afterward for a TOUCHDOWN to grow the lead!

GAME THREAD: https://t.co/IwLCji4eH4 pic.twitter.com/ibtCvJVjFn
— Phoenix Stevens (@PStevensKSR) December 7, 2024

Paducah Tilghman would almost immediately get into the end zone, making it a 27-13 lead for the Blue Tornado with just 10 minutes to go in regulation. The Flyers wouldn’t go down easily, however, as Jayquan Crawford would make it a 27-20 game with just over five minutes to go.

However, the Blue Tornado were able to run down the clock to end the game, and just like that, they were state champs.

Martels Carter would finish the game with nine receptions for 169 yards, and he would score two total touchdowns (one receiving, one rushing) as well. The Blue Tornado won their fourth state championship and their first since 2009.