Posted: Oct. 27, 2009

Franklin — The Greendale Panthers were given a rude return to the WIAA Division 2 playoffs courtesy of the Franklin Sabers.

Host Franklin (8-2) held Greendale (7-3) to 92 yards of offense and seven first downs en route to a 27-0 first-round playoff victory Tuesday.

It was Greendale's first D2 playoff game since 2000; their previous six before Tuesday were D3 games, including a trip to the D3 championship game in 2006.

"Perimeter-wise, we're not the fastest, but we can hang with them," Greendale coach Rob Stoltz said. "We showed it. But that's not where you win games.

"It's not even close up front right now. We talked about if from day one, fellas, we know what's in front of us in this (Woodland) conference, but we're probably playing D2 this year. D2 up front is not the same as D3 up front. Not even close - a different class up front."

The Sabers' defense allowed just two first downs in the second half and forced Greendale to punt on its first nine possessions. The final three Panther possessions resulted in an interception and two turnovers-on-downs.

"They came out and shut them down," Franklin coach Jeff Klemp said of his defense. "They did a great job. (Assistant head) coach (Louis) Brown had them scouted out real well and we took some of their plays away."

Franklin running back Paul Lincoln rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown and quarterback Lance Baretz added 103 and two touchdowns, including a 44-yard run around the right end with 7 minutes, 26 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter that made it 27-0.

"We'll take what the defense gives us," Klemp said of his two-headed running attack. "We'll take two 100-yard rushers any day."

Franklin scored on its first possession when Baretz capped a 10-play drive with a 2-yard TD run. Lincoln made it 13-0 on a 35-yard draw with 1:43 left in the first quarter.

Franklin added another rushing touchdown, this time in the second quarter, when Jesse Palok broke loose for a 28-yard score with 9:39 left in the first half.

"They are touted as a passing team, but it's a misnomer," Stoltz said. "They're a 50-50 team, and when you're clicking on all cylinders, that's how it should be."

After intermission, the Sabers went on one of their finest drives of the night, even though it did not result in a score. Franklin rattled of 16 plays and chewed up more than 6 minutes of action on their first drive of the second half.

"There were some sloppy parts of the game, but overall, 27-0 over a very good program, we'll take it any day," Klemp said.

The third-seeded Sabers will play second-seeded Waterford on Saturday at Waterford. The Wolverines beat Milwaukee North, 60-14, Tuesday to improve to 9-1.