FRANKLIN, Texas — Franklin turned a halftime tie into a district-opening victory Friday, scoring 21 points in the third quarter and defeating Little River Academy 42-28 at Franklin High School. The Lions and Bumblebees played a scoreless first quarter before each scored 14 points in the second. Franklin pulled ahead 35-28 in a third quarter that produced five touchdowns between the teams. The Lions added the only points of the fourth quarter to secure their first win of the season. Franklin improved to 1-3 overall and 1-0 in District 12-3A Division I play. Academy fell to 2-2. The victory followed losses to La Vega, Newton and Robinson. After allowing at least 40 points in each of those games, Franklin held Academy to 28 and kept the Bumblebees scoreless in the final quarter. The Lions have scored 116 points and allowed 162 through four games. Friday’s 42 points were their highest output of the season and gave them their first home victory. Franklin’s defense recorded 96 combined tackles, including 30 solo tackles and 66 assists, according to the team statistics. The Lions also had four tackles for loss, three sacks, eight pass breakups and a forced fumble. They did not record an interception or fumble recovery. Ryan Smitherman led Franklin with 15 tackles, including five solo stops and 10 assists. Ryan Riddle added nine tackles, while Keegen Griffin and Garrison Rampy made seven apiece. Malachi Ariola, Aaden Johnson, Cash Johnson, Jackson Huthison and Ryder Klein each finished with five. The defense’s fourth-quarter stand followed Academy’s strongest stretch of the night. After failing to score in the opening period, the Bumblebees matched Franklin’s 14 points in the second quarter and added 14 more in the third. But the Lions answered with three third-quarter touchdowns to take a lead they would not surrender. Academy entered the matchup averaging 367.8 total yards per game, including 221.5 rushing yards and 146.3 passing yards. Franklin’s shutout in the final period closed the door on a comeback. The Lions now travel to Cameron to face unbeaten C.H. Yoe at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2. The Yoemen are 4-0 overall and 1-0 in district play after beating McGregor 46-9. They have scored 167 points and allowed 107 this season. Academy returns home Friday to face Rockdale, which is 0-4 after a 48-9 loss to Troy. Both games will give the teams another chance to establish their positions in district play.