LEXINGTON – The message all week for Franklin-Simpson’s defense was simple and clear: Stop six, win the game.

Six refers to the number worn by Johnson Central running back Joe Jackson, the cornerstone of the Golden Eagles offense and the leading rusher in Class 4A.

The Wildcats kept Jackson and the Golden Eagles out of the end zone just enough to hold on to a 14-12 win for the Class 4A state championship, but Johnson Central had plenty of opportunities for other touchdowns.

That the Wildcats held down the top scoring and rushing team in Class 4A was a testament to three weeks of Franklin-Simpson’s defense taking steps toward a championship effort.

“Our defense was huge,” Wildcats offensive lineman Jack Randolph said. “Definitely the MVP of the game. Our defense stepped up when our offense didn’t move the ball. Shoutout to them. They played their butts off.”

Two high-scoring teams traded strengths for a defensive slugfest Saturday afternoon at Kroger Field. Johnson Central’s 12 points were the fewest it’s scored since mustering a single touchdown against South Warren in the 2015 Class 4A state final.

The Wildcats defense gave up a season-high 236 yards – 112 yards each from Jackson and Bryce Tackett – but kept Johnson Central out of the end zone when it mattered most.

Johnson Central made three trips inside the red zone and left without points.

In the first quarter, Leandre Stutzman forced a fumble at the end of a long run by Tackett that was recovered by Tedric Partinger at the Franklin-Simpson 18-yard line.

Trailing 7-6 in the second quarter, Jake Headly missed a 34-yard field goal attempt.

Twice in the second half, the Golden Eagles reached the Wildcats’ 10- and 16-yard line on back-to-back possessions and failed to convert fourth-down attempts.

“Just had to dig deep,” said linebacker Michael Punzalan, who led the Wildcats with nine tackles. “That’s what we prepared for all year and we had to step up when it came to it.”

Even late in the game when Johnson Central attempted to tie it on a two-point conversion play, the Wildcats sniffed out the play by stuffing Jackson on a sweep to the left side of the field.

“With great programs, you know what they’re going to do,” FSHS coach Doug Preston said. “If somebody is changing something every week, they’re probably not doing real good. We kind of knew what was going to be called right there at the end. The number one thing is what they did – the sweep. They’re going to try to get Jackson. That’s their guy.”

And the Wildcats remembered all too well what Jackson was capable of before an injury sidelined him last season.

In 2016, Jackson gashed the Wildcats for three touchdowns in the state final.

“Stop six, win the game. That was the game plan,” Punzalan said.

Saturday’s championship effort capped a three-week stretch where Preston saw his defense top itself by the week. He said the performance against Madisonville-North Hopkins was the best of the season. It required the defense to stand tall while the offense struggled in a 12-10 win.

That carried over into the semifinals in a shutout win at Taylor County.

“If you had seen us in the preseason, we came a long way,” Preston said. “Credit to the kids for believing and being committed and doing the things we asked them to do from beginning to end.”{&end}