EVERMAN- Cory Franklin ran for 180 yards and a pair of second half touchdowns as the Everman Bulldogs (5-2, 4-0) escaped with a hard fought 21-19 win over the Burleson Elks (4-3, 2-2) in a District 7-4A matchup at Marr Stadium.

Everman, which at certain points in the second half had its entire second-team secondary in the game, was able to stop a Burleson two-point conversion with 48 seconds left in the game to preserve the win. The win for Everman preserves its home winning streak which now stands at 22 games.

Everman went into the game without the services of its top corner back Horace Richardson who suffered a concussion last week against Granbury. Its starting free safety Robert Davis was also out. TCU verbal commit James Bailey suffered a knee injury in the second quarter and was in and out for the remainder of the game.

Burleson was not without its own key injuries as leading rusher Amery Duncan was unable to go despite suiting up.

Burleson quickly jumped out to a 7-0 lead on the opening possession of the game as it moved 70 yards on 12 plays, scoring on a five-yard run by senior quarterback Corey Bailey. After an exchange of punts, Burleson was able to take a 13-0 lead as Bailey capped a six-play, 92-yard march with a 25-yard scoring run. The ensuing point after attempt was missed by Burleson after a procedure penalty, and that missed kick would loom large for the remainder of the evening.

Everman would get on the board late in the second quarter as freshman Terrence Cook scored from four yards out to cut the Burleson lead to 13-7. Everman had another opportunity earlier in the half as junior linebacker Tory Boozer blocked a Burleson punt. But on the return, Everman's Lincoln Richard was stripped of the football and Burleson offensive lineman Hunter Heins would recover, giving Burleson the ball back.

Everman would take a 14-13 on the opening drive of the second half on a 36-yard touchdown run by Franklin. The score was set up by a big kickoff return by James Bailey. Everman would have a chance to extend the lead later in the quarter, but a 40-yard field goal attempt would sail wide left.

The Bulldogs would jump out to a 21-13 lead with 2:23 remaining in the game on Franklin's second touchdown run, but Burleson was left with enough time to mount a potential game-tying drive.

There was some question as to whether the Elks allowed Everman to score to get the ball back as Burleson only had one timeout left, but that assumption was later negated. Burleson would move 64 yards quickly and senior receiver Hunter Watson hauled in a seven yard scoring strike from Bailey to set up the game-deciding two-point conversion. Burleson, which was able to execute an onside kick in the first quarter, was unable to recover its attempt in the fourth quarter and Everman was able to take a knee twice to clinch the win.

Next week, Everman will take on fellow District 7-4A unbeaten Mansfield Summit in a game that will likely decide the district championship, while Burleson will host Arlington Seguin.