By Ethan Rohrbaugh
Tribune Correspondent

SHORT GAP—What looked like a sure win after three quarters turned into a very close call for the Frankfort Falcons last night in Short Gap.
FHS led 35-13 with twelve minutes to play, but that’s when the Hampshire Trojans turned it on.
However, a goal line stop by the Falcon defense on the two-point try that would have tied up the game gave the contest its final outcome, 35-33.
Hampshire’s opening kickoff went out of bounds so Frankfort took over at the 35. 
The Falcons drove down the field in ten plays and capped it off with a three yard score by Jeremy Miltenberger.
The Trojans were forced to punt on their first possession, but held the Falcons to a three-and-out, and had the ball back; driving towards the goal line as the first quarter ran out.
On the opening play of the second frame, Blake Saville tied it up from five yards out.
Frankfort reclaimed their lead in hurry, however, as a five play drive found the end zone to put FHS on top, 14-7.
That drive was highlighted by a 42 yard pass from James Jones to Zach Nieberlein that set up another Jones to Nieberlein hook up for the twenty yard score.
Jones was at it again on the Falcons’ next possession, as he hit Logan Wolford for a pitch-and-catch of 63 yards that bumped their lead to 21-7.
Hampshire got some life back on the ensuing kickoff, as Brent Walter returned it out to the 48 and the Trojans drove the remaining 52 yards in 10 plays, and Walter finished it off with a four yard score.
The point after was blocked, so Frankfort’s lead stood at 21-13 heading into the locker rooms.
The Falcons improved on their lead twice during the third frame; once on a 34 yarder by Joey Luciw and again on Miltenberger’s five yard touchdown.
But as the fourth quarter came, so did the Hampshire offense.
One minute in, Walter scored from four yards to make it 35-19 and the Saville made it a one-possession game when he took it in from four yards out and Steven Wilson added the two-point conversion to bring the score to 35-27.
Things got scary for the Falcons when Wilson found the end zone again with under two minutes to play, but the Frankfort defense wouldn’t allow an inch on the two-point try, and the game ended on that score of 35-33.
Miltenberger led all rushers with 112 yards on 12 carries and added four catches for 43 yards.  He had two touchdowns on the evening.
Jones completed 10 of 15 passes for 187 yards and two scores.  Nieberlein caught the first and ended with 62 yards on two catches and Wolford was on the receiving end of the second while he finished with 81 yards on his three grabs.
Frankfort’s 455 total yards bested Hampshire’s 330.
Frankfort (9-1) will be assured at least one home playoff game and will know exactly where they stand going into the playoffs when the brackets are released Sunday.