By KEN HAMWEY, Staff Sports Writer

Mack Gulla doesn’t waste time.

Franklin High’s outstanding running back achieved four accolades in a three-month span that reinforce just how talented and how impactful he is on a football field.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior, who rushed for 746 yards and scored 7 touchdowns during a seven-game season last spring as a junior, was selected as the team’s most-valuable player, a Hockomock League and Metrowest Daily News all-star, and a captain on this year’s squad. All four honors were achieved from April to July.

Mack Gulla relies on speed and against Taunton he used that asset enroute to three touchdowns.

“Mack had a great Fall 2 season last spring,’’ said coach Eain Bain. “He’s got all the attributes for success. He’s mentally and physically tough, has a high football IQ, is strong and powerful, has deceptive speed and his energy level is high. Other players feed off his energy.’’

A power back, Gulla is effective as an inside runner who gets yards for key first downs but he’s also an outside threat, able to cut and rely on break-away speed.

“I’m more of an inside, power runner who puts his head down and hits the hole,’’ Gulla said. “My focus is on getting tough yards. But sometimes, I rely on patience for the hole to form, then hit it and apply speed to get outside.’’

Gulla, an 18-year-old native of Franklin, labels his MVP, all-star and captain honors as his top thrills but rates his game last spring against Taunton as his top effort. He scored three TDs on runs of 5, 25, and 10 yards.

“We trailed early, but thanks to our offensive line, I was able to score three times, one TD in each in the first three quarters to keep us in the game. We won, and I finished with 194 yards. It was memorable because it was a back-and forth contest. Our line did a great job, dominating throughout.’’

A young team last spring, the Panthers finished the season at 3-4, losing three games by six points or less. Gulla firmly believes that close games this season will be more apt to go Franklin’s way.

“We were very young last season but now most of the players are back and they’ve got experience,’’ Gulla said. “My team goals are to win the Kelly-Rex Division title, qualify for the playoffs and go as deep as possible. Individual goals include improving my ground game, repeat as an all-star and to improve my stats. Statistics are not important to me, but I know that if I improve them, then my team benefits. My top priority is our team. I rely on an athletic philosophy that stresses winning, reaching my potential and having fun. Winning is important, and it takes focus and preparation to make winning occur.’’

Gulla and FHS will open the season at home on Sept. 10 against Wachusett. He points to Mansfield and King Philip as contenders for the Kelly-Rex Division crown. 

Contending for a league championship will involve all hands on deck, and Gulla is acutely aware that leadership will play a major role. “As a captain, I’ll be more of a lead-by-example guy. I’ll also be supportive of my teammates, and I’ll compete hard. If teammates feed off my energy, then that’s a plus.’’

Gulla, who averaged 106 yards last spring, also has a high regard for his coach’s leadership and thinks two senior teammates, defensive end Jonathan Martin and quarterback Jared Arone, will be key contributors for a bounce-back season. “Coach Bain is very intense, knows strategy and is a good motivator,’’ Gulla emphasized. 

Gulla also plays baseball and has been on Franklin High’s varsity roster the last two years but hasn’t been able to get an at-bat. A third-baseman, he didn’t compete as a sophomore because the pandemic forced cancellation of the spring season. As a junior last spring, he underwent a procedure after football to drain fluid off his right knee, causing him to miss the season.

Injuries have played a role in his career. As an eight-grader, he suffered a fractured collarbone in youth football, and during his sophomore season of varsity football he missed four games because of a dislocated collarbone. As a sophomore, he rushed only 16 times, gained 80 yards and scored two touchdowns. A healthy junior season, however, enabled him to get 130 carries and average 5.7 yards per carry.

Delighted that his senior season of football appears to be trending in a positive direction as far as pandemic regulations go, Gulla admired the way Franklin players adhered to all the rules (masks, distancing, and sanitizing) last spring. “My hope is that we’ll have a normal season this fall,” he said.

Calling his father (Chris) a role model for his support and encouragement, Gulla is acutely aware of football’s valuable life lessons. “I’ve learned how to overcome adversity and how to be a leader and a good teammate,’’ he said. “Football also builds character, and it helps to strengthen one’s work ethic.’’

Gulla’s high energy level and his quiet nature seem to come naturally. When he’s in Franklin’s backfield, he’s serious, focused and locked in, and it’s that type of intensity that sent MVP, all-star and captain honors his way. And, it’s undoubtedly why his coach emphasizes, “Mack Gulla will be a good fit on a college roster.’