This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
12/02/2015 11:00 PMThroughout the past three seasons, Shelby Franklin has proven an impact player no matter where North Branford football coach Mark Basil has put him on the field.
When he was a junior, Shelby played running back and led the T-Birds with 877 yards on the ground. In his recent senior season, he lined up in the slot and recorded 53 receptions for 1,051 yards. On defense, Shelby progressed every year and made 112 tackles this fall.
“It just amazes me because, if I can play both positions, how much better could I have been if I just stuck to one?” says Shelby. “I like defense a lot. I like the feeling of shutting them down. It’s the best. I also really like running back, but it doesn’t matter to me as long as we get the ‘W.’”
Shelby has excelled the most on offense when put into space. He’s worked hard to sculpt his body to give him a great combination of size and speed in order to break open-field tackles and pick up extra yards.
“I’m confident that not one man can take me down, so I’m looking ahead of one tackle. It’s a matter of shake and bake and hope for the best,” says Shelby, who helped the T-Birds reach the Class S Small Division final last year. “Our coaches in the summer put us through a lot. We work out every day. Even Sunday, us receivers get together and train hard, run routes. Working out in summer pushes you to work better to help the team. The coaching staff pushes you to your potential. They have the best for you in mind.”
All totaled for his North Branford football career, Shelby rushed for 1,514 yards with 17 touchdowns and caught 90 passes for 1,494 yards with 15 scores. He also completed the only pass he threw for 61 yards and a score and compiled 681 kick return yards with a touchdown. Defensively, Shelby racked up 253 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and five interceptions and also returned two fumble recoveries for TDs. Shelby’s ability to make a big-time impact in all arenas is why Coach Basil felt he was the best player on the field on any given play.
“I think he’s the best player in the league. I think he’s a kid that has real good tools that can play at a high level. He’ll play wherever he goes,” says Basil. “In our league, he’s a top running back, but we wanted to use his speed on the perimeter. We look to get him the ball in space. He uses his body well, can change direction quick, and can run through the arm tackles. He’s a strong kid, so get him the ball in space and he’ll make the plays and make us coaches look good.”
As a senior this fall, Shelby was one of four captains for the Thunderbirds. It was a role that he liked being in and one he felt he learned a lot from.
“It was really fun. It wasn’t a lot of pressure on me. I was calm and I’d help pick up my teammates and the coaches helped me through everything,” says Shelby. “We all decided on things as a group, so it wasn’t just us captains deciding everything. It was fun and it was great to lead this team. It was a great group of guys who did everything they could.”
Shelby has also been a member of North Branford’s indoor and outdoor track squads since his freshman year, competing in the sprinting and jumping events.
“Coach [Kirt] Westfall was always about trying to get me faster and bigger for football,” says Shelby. “It was fun. It got me so much faster with all the training we do. Everything in track just made me so much better in football.”
All the work Shelby put into his high school career has opened the door for him to possibly play football at the next level. It’s a major opportunity that Shelby feels thankful to have.
“We’re still in the decision process. I’m just seeing what I like the best and, hopefully, I go somewhere I like and play football,” says Shelby. “I’m pumped. I’m happy that I have the athleticism to partake at the next level. I’m ecstatic. It’s unbelievable. I’m blessed and happy.”