On Friday, playing on its home field to open the 2024 season, the Franklin football team found comfort.

The Indians were together, playing a game they love and, for 48 minutes, able to fully turn their attention toward beating visiting Westminster.

The picture-perfect night in Reisterstown started with anticipated emotion. Two of the home team’s own — 2024 graduate JaJa Williams and junior guard Leslie Noble IV — were honored after their tragic deaths this summer. Hanging on each side of the press box were the players’ jerseys — No. 19 for Williams and No. 74 for Noble. In between, a banner donated by the Baltimore Ravens read “In Loving Memory.”

After the public address announcer led a moment of silence, the Indians honored their fallen teammates with a character-filled 24-14 win over the Owls.

Considering everything the team has been through in the three-plus weeks since Noble died after collapsing at practice, Franklin coach Anthony Burgos could not have been prouder of the focus and execution he got from all of his players in a complete team win against a quality opponent.

“Everybody contributed — offensively, defensively and special teams — they all came up big,” he said.

“I think this can carry the team and help them understand to keep pushing. We understand as a group that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, so let’s just stay in the moment and use it to understand that we got to love one another, take care of one another and we just go play the best football we can play.”

After two defensive stops, the Indians opened the scoring with a scintillating 78-yard touchdown run by sophomore Dylan Eaton, who found the left sideline in front of the home team’s bench. Up 14-7 in the third quarter, Burgos showed confidence in junior kicker Tanner Hutchins, who showed plenty of leg on a 34-yard field goal that made it 17-7.

When the Owls cut the lead to 17-14 with 5:23 to play in the game, senior running back Gerret Boyd got around the same left corner, going down the sideline for a 46-yard score to secure the victory.

It was a special performance on opening night.

“JaJa meant a lot to me. He was a funny, loving person to be around. And Leslie was such a great loving person as well. It was very heartbreaking to see all that happen,” Boyd said. “Tonight, I felt like the adversity, when it came, we faced it very well and it was 100% — all gas, no brakes.”

The Indians made it past the first practice after Noble’s death. Next was the first week and the vigil and service and the hard feelings that came with it all. Friday’s fine work was their chance to honor their fallen teammates and get past another hurdle.

“As we got through, there’s a lot of closures,” Burgos said. “So there was a lot of different things I’m learning and working with different people spiritually to see how I can lead these young men to where they need to be. They just did a great job tonight and I’m glad we were able to get the win tonight and get the season rolling.”

Senior tackle Caleb Hunley, who played a big role in helping spring Eaton and Boyd on the long touchdown runs, was thinking a lot about Williams and Noble throughout the night. Williams, 18, died after riding a utility task vehicle off a cliff on July 6 while at a family gathering in West Virginia.

“So proud. I’m just glad we could do it for them, their memory and just have something so special to play for,” Hunley said.

And then his excitement turned to football and what had just transpired. Hunley raved about his team.

“I’m telling you, man, this season can be real special if we can put it all together. Keep doing this week in, week out,” he said. “I’m so happy we got this first one out of the way.”

The Indians get into Baltimore County play this week, traveling to Division II Overlea at 6:30 p.m. Friday before hitting the defining stretch of their season. In Division I play, the Indians will host defending champion Perry Hall at 6 p.m. Sept. 20 and then visit perennial state power Milford Mill at 6 p.m. Sept. 27.