By BUTCH HARMON
The Laingsburg Wolfpack football team suffered some close losses that cost it a winning season and a trip to the playoffs last fall. This year, senior Cole Franks and his teammates are determined to turn things around in a big way.
A wide receiver and safety last season, Franks was voted the team MVP, as he caught 33 passes for 754 yards (22.8 avg.) and caught six touchdown passes enroute to earning all-CMAC honors.
The team finished with a 4-5 record last year, and this year, Franks and his teammates want more. “Our goal is to make the playoffs,” Franks said. “We also want to be conference champs. We are looking to be the first team to get that done.”
With Franks and fellow senior running back/cornerback Ryan Wade returning along with juniors like defensive end Kevin Koenig and fullback Dan Harkness, the Wolfpack have the players who can get that done.
“We were 4-5 last year and we missed the playoffs,” Franks said. “We lost one game by one point and a couple of others by a touchdown or less.”
Franks sees the Wolfpack as being an improved team this season. “Our defense is very strong,” he said. “We have good guys at every position. We also have a lot of good kids at the skill positions. We will use our speed to our advantage this year.”
Speed and quickness are big elements in Franks’ game as a wide receiver and also as a safety. From his defensive position, he intercepted three passes last year. Franks has worked hard in the off-season to take his game to another level. “I feel that I’ve become a lot faster,” he said. “I went to a lot of camps this summer, and my route running has really improved. I’m catching the ball better and I feel I’m more athletic.”
College teams have noticed Franks’ skill and athleticism. A number of Mid-American Conference and Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams have shown interest, including Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan Technological University, Ferris State University, University at Buffalo, and Eastern Michigan University as well as Princeton University.