FRANKLIN – The Franklin-Simpson Wildcats enter 2017 with a little bit of unfinished business.

Last season, Franklin marched to the 4A state championship game with an unblemished record but ran into a buzz saw in Johnson Central in a 48-0 loss.

Despite losing some key weapons from last season, Franklin-Simpson – ranked No. 2 in 4A in the preseason coaches’ poll – has its sights set on another deep playoff run.

“We are really focused on a state championship, but that is not what we are talking about right now,” senior linebacker/tight end Cade Harvey said. “Right now we are just preparing ourselves for Elizabethtown and getting ready for that first week.”

The postseason path will be a little different this season, with former district rival South Warren moving up to 5A – leaving a district that features Franklin-Simpson, Allen County-Scottsville, Warren Central and Warren East.

“With South Warren moving up it takes a little out of the district, but I feel like we have the parts here – the kids and the staff – to really put together a good run,” Franklin-Simpson coach Doug Preston said. “Hopefully we are playing our best by the end.”

The Wildcats lose quarterback Jackson Caudill and all-everything running back Josiah Robey, but the cupboard isn’t completely bare.

Senior Saul Brady, who ran for nearly 1,400 yards and 20 scores last year, is back after putting on 20 pounds in the offseason. Juniors Tre Bass and Carlos McKinney are also expected to contribute in the backfield.

Harvey, Collin Preston and Dillon Wallace are all expected to see time at tight end.

Senior Rylan Thomas, who has been in the system three years, will replace Caudill. Thomas does have some experience, playing the entire playoff win against Hopkins County Central and the entire second half against John Hardin.

Preston said the biggest challenge will be how the offensive line develops – he likes the talent, but it will be an inexperienced bunch.

Junior Jack Randolph has the most experience, while sophomore AJ Burr started a few games as a freshman. Dalton Hunter, CJ Kern and Glasgow transfer Elijah Barnett also are expected to contribute.

The defense will have a little more experience returning with a trio of players back that recorded 111 tackles or more.

According to Preston, senior lineman Dion Pearson – who had 111 tackles – may be the most explosive lineman he has ever had. Trevon Goodnight and Terry Scarborough, who both saw time in the trenches last year, are also back.

Harvey and James Baker give the Wildcats a very productive linebacking duo – with Harvey recording a team-high 170 tackles and Baker finishing with 151 tackles a year ago.

Cain Newland and Treyvon Dunn are seniors who will provide experience in the secondary.

“There are some good things left for sure and there are some kids we have to develop,” Preston said. “We feel pretty good so far. I feel like we are headed in the right direction. I don’t know how we will look these first few games, but I feel like we are on track. Our goal is to be playing our best at the end.”

Preston said the Wildcats will be under fire right away with a tough non-district schedule that begins with Elizabethtown on Friday. But Preston believes if the Wildcats can survive that non-district schedule, it will only help prepare them for a district that remains a challenge despite South Warren’s departure.

“Everybody in the district has the talent to challenge for the district, but it is who is healthy and who is playing good football at that time,” Preston said. “It’s a big dynamic change with them being out of the district, but I am glad they are on our schedule still.”

2017 Franklin-Simpson schedule

8/18 – Elizabethtown

8/25 – at Monroe County

9/1 – at South Warren

9/8 – Greenwood

9/15 – Meade County

9/22 – at Glasgow

9/29 – at Allen County-Scottsville

10/13 – Warren Central

10/20 – Warren East

10/27 – at Russellville{&end}