Denton RC High School

To say James Franklin's first start as a varsity quarterback was surprising would probably be a bit of a lie.

But to say the numbers he put up in his first career start were expected for a player making his debut under center is simply ludicrous.

Franklin, then a junior, accounted for five of Lake Dallas' touchdowns in a 61-54 shootout loss at Sherman. He threw for 368 yards on 24-of-35 passing with one interception. He also was a monster on the ground, rushing for 179 yards on 20 carries. He passed for two scores and ran for three, along with a two-point conversion on the ground.

Through nearly three entire quarters of play on March 4, it appeared the Argyle Eagles were simply outclassed by the No. 1 team in the state, Dallas Madison.

The teams were playing for a chance to go to the Class 3A Region II semifinals in an unfortunately early matchup between the No. 1 and No. 6 teams in the state.

But with a minute left in the third quarter, the Eagles began showing why they were so highly regarded. Argyle went on a 15-1 run from that point until the buzzer sounded, but lost a thriller on a Madison buzzer-beater, 48-46.