Q&A with Franklin coach Todd Kiley

Todd Kiley came over to Franklin from Holliston this offseason already established as one of the top coaches in the state.

Since taking over for the Panthers, Kiley has posted some big wins, none bigger than Friday night’s 21-19 victory over Duxbury.

Franklin now sits at 3-1 heading into a bye week.

We wanted to talk to him and get his thoughts on the season.

Here is an edited version of that conversation.

Adam Kurkjian: I didn’t go to your Central Catholic game, but I read about it. That was a game that seemed like you came back in and weren’t able to make it back in all the way. Did you gain any momentum back from that game, because it looked at one point they were going to run away with it and you made it a great game. What was the effect of that game on the rest of your season?

TK: I think the kids definitely came out of there with confidence. Moral victories are not something we would talk about within the program. It was still a loss. I think just the way the kids battled back, and just knowing that you can play with that team, they’re always one of the best teams in the state, top 10. We went toe-to-toe with them. Had a chance to win it at the end. Just came up a little short. We had four downs from the 12-yard line, and just couldn’t find a way to punch it in.

AK: About this Duxbury game, Duxbury is one of those teams that is always good. It doesn’t matter who’s there. It doesn’t matter who graduates.They’re good. You guys are on that plane, too. So to play a team like yourselves and come away with the win, I bet your confidence is soaring.

TK: I think the kids, we went into the game with a lot of confidence. Started out a little slow. I think once we settled in nerves-wise, the kids went out and executed like they’re capable of. Any time you can come away with a ‘W’ against a program like Duxbury, that’s a good night for you. Like you said, that’s a team that just reloads every single year. They have it rolling. They’re very well-coached. That’s a football town. It was kind of similar to the Central Catholic game, where we started out kind of slow and just sort of battled our way back, and chipped away at it. We had that refuse to lose mentality down the stretch and made big plays when we had to make them. Just a different kid stepping up in different moments Friday night.

AK: When I watched your teams at Holliston, I’d always wait until you pull out the double wing. All over the state teams run it. But it’s just one of those things that’s so hard to defend if the other team is running it well. If you guys are running that double wing well, it’s tough to stop. It’s a real tough offense to be against, because if you don’t get a negative play during it, it’s going to be a first down, because you’ll get those 2-3 yards. How have you installed that at Franklin, and how have the kids taken to it?

TK: We’ve installed it the same way we did at Holliston. It’s an important set for us. Our kids here, they seem to love it. Even some of the skill kids that get taken out in that set, because we substitute a few guys in that set. We sub out our spread quarterback. You see Justin (Bianchetto) on the sideline, it’s as if he’s making the plays out there. He’s excited. He doesn’t care who’s in there. We get it down to (Duxbury’s) 4-yard line, and we call a timeout, he’s like, ‘Coach, I think we should go War (the name for the double-wing set) here.’ So that’s a kid that just wants to win. War takes him out of the game. He just had a huge drive. Huge drive. Huge completions, great throws. Showed poise. Showed toughness, and he’s recommending we go War these last four yards. I took him up on it.

AK: The last one I wanted to ask you about was the defensive lineman you have, Julian Rampino. What is he like to coach? And what is he looking at in terms of college attention?

TK: He is the absolute complete package. If there’s ever an FBS kid that we’re going to coach, it’s this kid. He’s got the size. He’s 6-3, 265. He runs a sub-5 40. He’s quick. Squats 500. His strength numbers are through the roof. To go with it, he has that nasty to him, too, that all the college coaches are looking for. Obviously, he has the film to go along with that. He really is the complete package. Has all the intangibles. He’s a worker. So for him not to have an FBS offer right now is a little surprising. . . . There was two months (in the offseason) in there he didn’t have a head coach, and it was at a crucial point in recruiting. I’m hoping that didn’t hurt him. It’s unfortunate because he has a ton of attention from all levels, all Division 1 levels. He has the offers from the FCS schools (Maine, Merrimack, and Stonehill). You just feel like sometimes when there’s only those offers, these bigger schools think something has to be there that makes him that type of recruit. Really, I’m surprised. BC has him right in his backyard. UMass right in his backyard. When it’s all said and done, he’s going to have FBS offers. I’ve been at this thing a long time. I’ve had FBS players before. Full ride, full scholarship players, he is that. It’s just a matter of time.