Ben Franklin Dominates Gilbert Christian 33-0 to Remain Unbeaten

GILBERT, Ariz. – Benjamin Franklin controlled the game from start to finish Thursday night, defeating Gilbert Christian 33-0 behind a consistent rushing attack and a defense that never allowed the Knights to find the end zone.

Benjamin Franklin received the opening kickoff and quickly established its offense. 

The Chargers took their time driving down the field, taking a ton of clock off early in the first quarter. 

The long drive eventually resulted in the game’s first points when senior quarterback Gavin Wyler scored on a 5-yard rushing touchdown for the first points of the night. 

Wyler found the end zone with just under eight minutes remaining in the quarter, giving the Chargers a 6-0 lead after the Knights blocked the PAT.

Gilbert Christian struggled to respond as the Chargers’ defense kept the Knights from finding a rhythm offensively and forced them to punt. 

Later in the first quarter, when the Knights found their way inside the Chargers 50-yard line, Benjamin Franklin junior athlete Trey Sather recovered a fumble to give the Chargers possession back.

The turnover helped Benjamin Franklin maintain its early momentum as the Chargers led 6-0 heading into the second quarter.

Benjamin Franklin continued to keep the pressure on Gilbert Christian on both sides of the ball.

Wyler handed it off to senior athlete Aaron Dwiggins who pushed his way into the end zone from about five yards, extending the Chargers lead to 12-0 after they failed the 2-point conversion.

The Chargers kept their foot on the gas. 

On the first play of Gilbert Christian’s drive, Sather delivered a big hit that caused a fumble, which was recovered by senior athlete Ayden Stebnicki Snower giving the Chargers the football inside the Knights 35-yard line. 

Benjamin Franklin quickly capitalized on the fumble recovery, adding more points to the scoreboard after Wyler found senior athlete Trent Dutkiewicz on a quick pass that was taken all the way into the end zone to change the score to 19-0 in favor of Benjamin Franklin. 

Gilbert Christian continued to struggle after continuously getting stopped by the Chargers defense.

Benjamin Franklin carried its 19-0 lead into halftime.

The Chargers opened the second half with another strong defensive showing. 

Gilbert Christian moved the ball into Benjamin Franklin territory for the first time of the night after junior athlete Pierson Scott came up with a big carry.

However, the Knights eventually turned the ball over on downs on a drive that looked promising. 

Benjamin Franklin had another lengthy drive that turned into more points. 

Dwiggins rushed in for his second rushing touchdown of the night on a 5-yard carry with just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter. 

“It was a lot of fun, I’m not going to lie it’s not all me though it's all the offensive line,” Dwiggins mentioned following his two-touchdown night. “I got to give all the credit to the people who protect me the most, without them I’m nothing and they make the plays happen.”

Gilbert Christian was unable to answer again, as Benjamin Franklin continued to control the game on both sides of the ball heading into the fourth quarter. 

The Chargers continued their offensive success in the final quarter, adding another touchdown late into the quarter to put the final nail in the coffin.

Wyler scored his second rushing touchdown of the night on a short carry. 

The Chargers scored in every quarter and forced multiple turnovers to maintain control throughout the game. 

Benjamin Franklin’s head coach Danny Norris mentioned, “It always feels good, this program is four years in the making and to do what we did tonight against another undefeated team and have 20 shut out quarters in a row is pretty incredible.” 

Next up: Benjamin Franklin looks to continue their undefeated record as they prepare for ALA - Ironwood, while Gilbert Christian looks to brush off the loss at Crimson High School.