The Franklin Sabers will begin the 2023-2024 high school football season with a major away game against the No. 7 Wisconsin team, the Catholic Memorial Crusaders.
The Sabers are the 19th team in the state to start the season, so a win here tonight would give them a great chance to break into the top 15 or even top 10 in the season opener.
Both teams go into the season as top 10 teams in the Milwaukee area, with the Sabers finishing in eighth place and the Crusaders in fifth. The Crusaders won the state championship last season and are aiming to win the state title again this season.
Franklin’s Ben Burgess, 13, attends a reception to defeat Catholic Memorial’s Marvanus Butler, 5, in the season opener at Waukesha South on Friday, August 18, 2023. Scott Ashe/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Catholic Memorial’s Damius Lopez, 3, saved a pass for a 67-yard touchdown in the season opener against Franklin at Waukesha South on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. Scott Ashe/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Catholic Memorial’s Damius Lopez, 3, beats lineman John Schwab, 56, to 67 in the season opener against Franklin at Waukesha South on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. Celebrate the yard touchdown reception. Scott Ashe/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Franklin head coach LewisBrown(center)speaks with players during the season opener against Catholic Memorial on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.ScottAshe/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Catholic Memorial’s Ed Jones,24,splitsFranklin’s pass to Dylan Drakowski during the season opener at Waukesha South Friday, Aug. 18, 2023(11).ScottAshe/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Franklin’s Cooper Muller,45,willstart the season opener against Catholic Memorial on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.ScottAshe/MilwaukeeJournalSentinel Journal Sentinel
Catholic Memorial HeadCoach Bill Young follows the season-openinggame against Franklin at Waukesha South on Friday, Aug.18,2023.ScottAshe/MilwaukeeJournalSentinel
The Catholic Memorial’sXavierMcClinton(21)runsthroughcenterduringtheopener against Franklin in Waukesha South on Friday, August 18, 2023.).ScottAshe/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Catholic Memorial`s Marvanous Butler (5) leaps for a byskipin the long runareahowevercannotholdownership upon touchdownat some stage in the season opener in opposition to Franklin at Waukesha South on Friday, August 18, 2023.Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Catholic Memorial’s Corey Smith (1) punts at some stage in the season opener in opposition to Franklin at Waukesha South on Friday, August 18, 2023.Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Catholic Memorial going for walkslower back Corey Smith (1) takes a handoff from quarterback MJ Mitchell (2) at some stage in the season opener in opposition to Franklin at Waukesha South on Friday, August 18, 2023.Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Catholic Memorial’s Marvanous Butler (5) secures a byskip in stride for an 85-backyardlandingat some stage in the season opener in opposition to Franklin at Waukesha South on Friday, August 18, 2023.Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Catholic Memorial’s Gabe Talla (30) brings down Franklin huge receiver Jacques Brooks (1) at some stage in the season opener at Waukesha South on Friday, August 18, 2023.Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Franklin quarterback Joseph Kallay (7) prepares to throw a 21-backyard bullet to huge receiver Dylan Drajkowski in the long runareaat some stage in the fourth zone of the season opener in opposition to Catholic Memorial on Friday, August 18, 2023. The landing secured Franklin’s 31-24 victory.Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Franklin huge receiver Dylan Drajkowski (11) pulls down a 21-backyardbyskipin the long runareaat some stage in the fourth zone of the season opener in opposition to Catholic Memorial on Friday, August 18, 2023. The landing gave Franklin a 31-24 victory.Scott Ash /†Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Franklin huge receiver Dylan Drajkowski (11) celebrates a 21-backyardlanding reception withinside the fourth zone of the season opener in opposition to Catholic Memorial on Friday, August 18, 2023. The landing gave Franklin a 31-24 victory.Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Franklin wide receiver Dylan Drajkowski (11) celebrates a 21-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter of the season opener against Catholic Memorial on Friday, August 18, 2023. The touchdown gave Franklin a 31-24 victory.Scott Ash /
Catholic Memorial’s Josh Oechsner (14) pulls in a 56-backyardbyskip over Franklin’s Joshua Stamborski (39) at some stage in the fourth zone of the season opener at Waukesha South on Friday, August 18, 2023.Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Catholic Memorial’s MJ Mitchell (2) walks to the sideline after droppingownership on downs past duewithinside the fourth zone of the season opener in opposition to Franklin at Waukesha South on Friday, August 18, 2023. Franklin gainedthe sport 31-24.Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Franklin Sabers football team played to the endof the season opener at Waukesha South on Friday, August 18, 2023,winning31-24attheCatholicMemorial.ScottAshe/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
