Blog Archives - Eight & 322/Eight & 27

The Bulldogs are for real, Oil City found that out Friday night

9/30/2022

Ethen Knox and his Oil City teammates found out Friday night just how good the Meadville Bulldogs are this season. The Bulldogs held Know to just around a 100 yards - which is quite the feat given that the Oil City running back has surpassed 400 yards in each of his last four games.

Meadville's running back duo combined for nearly 300 yards with the bulk of those by the talented Khalon Simmons.

The Dawgs shutout the Oilers 35-0 to take command of the region and remaining undefeated on the season.

Photographs by Jeff Bobin, spacial contributor to Eight & 322.

Read more about the contest on our friend's route8rivalry.com

May crowned queen at Franklin's homecoming

9/30/2022

Sydney May was crowned Franklin's 2022 Homecoming Queen Friday night as the Knights football team continues to look for ways to get into the end-zone.

The visiting Warren Dragons jumped out to a 20 zip lead before Hunter Marsteller and Cole Buckley combined for a 63 yard touchdown and Nate Pfennigwerth extra point near the end of the half. The Knights then got ball back right away but failed to score on a field goal attempt.

Warren blanked the Knights in the second half while chipping in an additional 16 points to pad their lead.

Read more about the contest on our friend's route8rivalry.com

Franklin will take on 4-2 Seneca next week.

The Knight's will be on the road the next two weeks heading to Meadville in two weeks to face the very good Bulldogs squad that just shut out Oil City 35-0.

The Knight's will face Conneaut at home in three weeks where they have a real shot at winning as the Eagles are also 0-6 on the season.

They then finish off the season against Lakeview who is currently 4-2.

Marci's team

9/29/2022

By Lisa Renwick

What makes a coach successful? The answer was unanimous among former players and colleagues about veteran girls volleyball coach Marci Malliard.

“She cares.”

“There is a quote out there that says, ‘Behind every fearless player is a fearless coach who refused to let them be anything but the best they could be,’” said Kendell (Dickson) Bancroft, who played for Malliard and now joins her on the sidelines as an assistant coach at Cochranton. “Marci has been, and always will be one of the best coaches I ever played for. She truly loves this game and her players and would do anything for them.”

On Thursday, several of Malliard’s former players were in attendance as the Lady Cardinals hosted Cambridge Springs in a Region 2 matchup.

But it wasn’t just one of local girls volleyball’s biggest rivalries they were there to witness.

They were there to surprise and pay tribute to one of the finest coaches not only in Crawford County but Pennsylvania. Even members of the Lady Blue Devils’ squad got into the celebration, gifting Malliard her favorite drink - Diet Mountain Dew - during player introductions.

“This was very nice and heartwarming and it was nice to see all of those girls,” Malliard said.”As the night wore on, I started to see odd people coming in here. I thought what the heck is going on? I mean, there were just people that don't usually show. It was very nice. It was nice. I'm always of the mind where I don't feel like I deserve all of that stuff.”

Malliard certainly deserves it.

Malliard’s 25-year career - that includes a state title and six trips to the Final Four - will come to an end at the conclusion of this season.

She has amassed a career record of 402-104. That mark includes an unbelievable run from 2004 to 2008 when the Cardinals won 101 straight games and 72 straight matches in region play. In 2004, the Cardinals finished 25-1 and won the school’s first team state title.

Cochranton also played for state titles in 1999, 2007 and 2013 and finished in the top four in the state in 2000 and 2015. Overall, Malliard has led the Cardinals to 11 region/conference titles and 10 District 10 championships.

“I have been blessed with such nice kids all along and parents that I know for the most part stand behind me; administration that stood behind me all these years. That's a nightmare for some people. And it's never been that way down here, she said. “And, and for Dan (Jackson) too. When they mentioned the elementary program, I thought, ‘Geez, that's not even me.’ That's Dan introducing all those kids to this elementary stuff, you know? I have lots of help."

Malliard has even developed that help she with former players on staff.
“I’m thankful for Leirin (Schmader). She's been around here for all these years. Leirin does anything that you ask of her. Kendell (Bancroft) is the same way. I have a great support system without a doubt.”

So what made the 2022 season the year?

“I guess because for 10 years I keep saying it and then I'm back the next year and I thought some year it needs to be it,” Malliard said. “I just need to go right now, you know, and stop.
“I want to stay around if they'll have me. I want to stay around and volunteer for a couple of years and still help with the junior high program, because (Schmader and Bancroft) can't really do that right now.”

She also plans to pick up the elementary program and relieve Jackson some.

Of course, Malliard still has some unfinished business. Her resume could most certainly include even more accolades when all is said and done.

This year’s edition of the Cardinals is 9-0 following their 25-14, 25-10, 25-14 win over the Blue Devils Thursday night. They are ranked No. 6 in the state in Class 1A by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association.

Malliard thinks the tools are there for special finish.

“They do have the potential,” Malliard said.

It would be fitting for someone who has given so much.

“I can’t speak for everyone, but I don’t think I’ve ever been coached by or had anyone push me to reach my potential as much as (Malliard) did/has on and off the court,” said Leirin (Baker) Schmader, who also joins Malliard on the sidelines as an assistant coach and was a member of the state championship team.
“She demanded hard work from us on the court every day, but also in our everyday lives."

Schmader said Malliard came to watch them play other sports, came to graduations, followed their college careers and even attended their weddings.They have developed lifelong friendships.

“It’s always been about more than volleyball, whether we realized it at the time or not. She’ll never admit to being one of the best coaches out there, but any one of the past players or spectators at the match could attest to it,” said Schmader.

Kendell Bancroft’s sentiments were similar.

“She truly loves this game and her players and would do anything for them,” she said. “Words cannot describe the amount of time and dedication she has put into volleyball over the past 25-plus years as coach. Not only does she strive to make each individual person a better player, but a better person.
I have been truly blessed to have learned countless things from Marci throughout the years. Being able to coach by her side for the last few years has been an honor. I’m not sure what the future of Cochranton girls volleyball will look like without Marci, but I know there are some big shoes to fill, and I hope to be half the coach she is someday.”

Bancroft played on the Cardinals’ state runner-up squad in 2013.

Malliard’s efforts on the volleyball court are also highly recognized by her peers.

“Marci has put the community of Cochranton on the map locally and across the state for her efforts in the volleyball program,” said Maplewood girls volleyball coach Sheila Bancroft, also one of Malliard’s closest friends.

“When you talk about Cochranton you think volleyball. Not only has she provided success in the program, but a lot of respect and pride," Bancroft continued.

"She demands that from her players, and they play like that on the floor. Marci pushes her players to get the best from them. I have never met a coach that has given the time and dedication to the sport and her players like Marci. Her support for them on and off the court separates her from the others.”

Sarah (Jacobs) Lybrook said Malliard has made an impact on everyone she has coached.

“On the court and off. She has built a reputation that will never fade here in Crawford County,” the 2011 Cochranton graduate said.

“Chances are, if you’ve ever heard or read anything about volleyball in (Northwest Pennsylvania) Marci’s name is on it. She’s dedicated her entire life to the sport. She’s someone that I will always respect no matter where I see her. She has a heart of gold and wants to see every player reach their potential.”

Meadville head coach Tim Schleicher said he has learned a lot from watching Malliard over the years.

“I think Marci has been successful because she has the ability to get her players to buy into a system of hard work and playing relentless defense,” he said. “She is able to make clear to her players what her standards are and then holds her players accountable to that standard. Her teams have always featured tough defense, serving and great passing. She has succeeded in making a culture of hard work synonymous with Cochranton Volleyball. She puts in the extra time to work with her players in the offseason and even gets out to watch them participate in other sports. Personally, Marci has been a big influence on my coaching career. I always enjoy our conversations as she always offers some insight that I can use in my own gym (whether she realizes it or not). "

Schleicher recalls a game where Malliard showed the type of person she is and her value to the sport of volleyball.

"Very early in my coaching career at Linesville, we played Cochranton resulting in a sweep at the hands of our visitors. While we gathered at the end of the gym for our post game discussion, Marci walked across the gym and proceeded to tell our group that she was impressed with their efforts defensively and if we kept that up we would continue to improve as a team. I was so pleasantly surprised, and it gave me confidence as a coach.”

In the end …

“Marci's success throughout her career has come from countless hours with all levels of the program,” Sheila Bancroft said. “She has dedicated most of her life making young people better volleyball players and even better human beings. She cares!”

Go Pink: October is Breast Cancer awareness month

9/27/2022

Area schools have been trading in their regular uniforms temporarily in order to help spread awareness throughout the community about the on-going battle that many have with cancer. And they are raising some cash too.
At the recent Pink Out game in Franklin, the volleyball players, staff, fans and family raised over a thousand dollars to help.

Great stuff!

Win or lose, Doc Fee is a Knight through and through

9/26/2022

The stadium at Franklin High School can get a little quiet on Friday night these days as the Knights are struggling to be competitive. After half-time the stadium really clears out as the band parents and grandparents leave. The team isn’t drawing the crowds like they do when they are winning.
Sometimes the only voice that is heard echoing off the metal bleacher seats is old Doc Fee yelling “let’s go Knights” from the sidelines.
Dr. William Fee recently turned 80 and the life-long servant of his community finally retired from his practice, but not his commitment to players and staff of the Franklin Knight’s football program.
Their record doesn’t matter to him, he is there to serve the players.
“It’s about helping people,” Fee said on the sidelines last week as he followed a play down the sidelines hoping Franklin would score again.
“Go Knight’s” his voice pierced the silence again.
Fee doesn’t remember when he started volunteering as the team’s physician but he hasn’t seen many winning seasons in his time. That doesn’t discourage him from rooting for or more importantly administering care to the kids he oversees. When a player is slow getting up he is already two steps onto the field and if the player doesn’t get up he is running. His run may not be quite as fast as it once was, but he gets there just the same.
Last year he was recognized for his service and dedication when he was inducted into Franklin High School’s Hall of Fame. “That was quite an honor,” he said.
Fee who admitted being a 100-pound wide receiver wasn’t favorable to a career in football, he turned to helping in the game he loved on the sidelines. A Vietnam era veteran doctor serving stateside, he also worked for the Oakland Raiders in the 1970s. The Raiders of that era were notorious - tough as nails dudes with bad attitudes and for their off the field shenanigans.
When he moved to Franklin he found his home and his team.
“Go Knight’s he shouts again,” as they covered a fumble and got the ball back.
When he heard the Knight’s cross town rivals, Oil City, had lost the night before he didn’t show any remorse. “That’s good,” he said with a laugh. The week before Oil City shutout the Knights 64-0 so he may have still be a bit bitter about that.
Fee will tell you that it’s the individual he is concerned about and not the team’s record. He knows each player is a person who needs support and he is there to provide that.

Editor's note: The Titusville Herald needed a story for today's paper so I wrote a little color story about our own Doc Fee based on witnessing him last week on the sidelines.
Click on the pages below to enlarge.

"It's the right thing to do,” he said as he watched another play go for a loss of yards for his team.
He turned and shrugged his shoulders and said the only thing there was for him to say…“Let’s go Knights.

Below are more photos from last Friday's game.

We haven't had much contact with the coach this year. A wedding in Michigan forced us to miss the first week and the coach had to serve out a two game suspension that he preferred not to discuss. The on his return he faced the buzzsaw of Ethen Knox and company from Oil City.

At the beginning of last Friday's contest it looked like that game was going to produce something positive to write about and cover, but it turned ugly again as these kids tried their best to get something going.

They managed to best their highest score by one point scoring two touchdowns and hitting both extra points, but still went down 47 - 14 against Mercyhurst Prep.

Knowing Coach Turk from last year's conversations he concentrates on the positives while focussing on each individual player. He has said it before that being a Franklin Kight is being a part of a family.

These Franklin Knights are a group of kids who huddle together each week burst out on to the football field full of vim and vigor ready too take on whoever is on the other side of the ball. When they step out on the field they are dead equal.

Whether it is size, strength, speed, precision, or just sheer determination, so far the other teams have managed to have the Knight's number, humbling both team and coaching staff.

Humility is perhaps one of the greatest of all lessons to know. The 18-0 Patriots were given that gift and they went on to win three more Super Bowls after. Yes they lost two more too, but can you think of any run better other the the Jordan Bulls or the insane Russell/Cousy Celtics or Wooden's UCLA dynasty?

It takes building from humility and learning life lessons along the way.

This week the Knight's prepare to host the 2-3 Warren Dragons who have only put up 98 points this season.

Doc Fee’s sideline exclamation's are no small thing. And they are echoed by the fans who do stick around, the staff and the school district who keeps supporting these young athletes.

This is love. This is dedication to people.

This is being a Franklin Knight.

Dribble and pass proficiency

9/22/2022

Watching Franklin soccer for a few minutes, you know that keeping control of the ball is hammered home in practice. They know their lanes and they are patient. They have pinpoint passing and they control their dribbling. They've been playing pretty well this season only losing twice. Thursday's game against Titusville was so dominant they almost appeared to be playing with more players.
Their shots on goal were unrelenting. They ended up with only seven goals but allowed zero to the visiting Rockets.

See more photos at: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p572356963

There also photos from last week's dismantling of Oil City.

See more photos at: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p572356963

Light shed on differences in Knox's yardage totals

9/20/2022

Fans may have noticed there are differences in the rushing yardage totals for Oil City’s Ethen Knox. MaxPreps.com has one thing, The Derrick has another. So what’s going on? "Whether it be the local newspaper, the OCHS coaching staff or other outlets, there are differences... sometimes it has to do with holding penalties,” Penny Weichel wrote on her web site, route8rivalry.com.
I began this season trying to photograph and keep tabs on how each drive developed. I take note after note missing important photographs as a result. This is painful for a photographer.

But what I also discovered is my numbers were always different than those of my colleagues. What I didn't realize was that sportswriters, radio sportscasters and coaches don't always wind up with the same totals. Weichel's article explained, in part, why that is. By the way, I had Knox for under 400 yards in last week’s game against Franklin (he had 428), but I never trust my numbers completely and that's why I seldom include them in my stories.

Sometimes stat keepers can differ by a yard (shouldn’t be more than that) on any play. Sometimes the wrong player is given the carry. In the case of Ethen Knox – the nation’s leading rusher, according to MaxPreps -- too many times it apparently has to do with yards given after a holding penalty. "The Derrick (and I) give the ball-carrier rushing yards from the line of scrimmage to where the flag was thrown on a hold. Others say no play at all. Friday night, for instance, there were two Knox runs in which holding was called. I gave him 13 yards on those plays. The Derrick undoubtedly gave him something too. Other outlets, including the radio, said no play to both."

I, truthfully didn't give 13 yards even though I knew that rule. My bone of contention was laking good math skills.

Weichel said she has researched via Google the correct way to record the yardage but all she came up with was this from sportsjournalists.com in 2006: "If the penalty is marked from the original line of scrimmage or behind the line of scrimmage, it's no play. If it's marked from beyond the line of scrimmage, then the play counts."

Sports editor from The Titusville Herald Pete Chiodo said that's how he does it.

So does The Derrick (and Weichel). "Tom Reisenweber, [of the Erie Times,] tweeted, 'The Derrick does it correctly.' Ryan Briggs, the respected Mercer County sports statistician, agreed," Weichel added.

The sportsjournalists website further explained: "Example: Jones gains 5 yards, but the offense is penalized 10 yards for holding and the spot of the foul is 2 yards past the line of scrimmage. Give Jones a 2-yard run (and, Weichel’s words, not the whole enchilada) and the offense a 10-yard penalty.”

Visit www.route8rivalry.com to learn a lot more about the long-running Franklin-Oil City rivalry. We're adding a permanent link of this site on our sports page. Weichel also keeps tabs on other sports and even some other area schools, former local athletes and so much more. Not sure she sleeps. It is one of my main go-to websites to gain clarity and perspective on games that, I too, am covering.

Oil City homecoming and Route 8 rivalry oh my

9/17/2022

Lots going on

Just when you thought nothing else could be added to the Route 8 rivalry night, a praying mantis decides to take the field.

Not much to talk about game - wise. Everyone knew coming into this week four game that one team is struggling and one team is rolling. And though the first series seemed to indicate that the end result of this contest was not a given, it was soon after that reality kicked back in.

But more on that later.

This was HoCo as the kids are calling it. And with that comes a king...

and a queen...

and another queen.

Oil City co-ops with Cranberry and therefore they each have their own homecoming royalty. Before the start of the game with Franklin, Mason Brown and Mackenzie Karns were named Cranberry's king and queen.
Then at halftime Britain Snow was crowned Oil City's queen. O.C. doesn't have a homecoming king.

It was a beautiful night with a lot of good things going on. a friendly contest to create giant paper chains while raising money resulted in Franklin raising more money, but it was the Kirkland Cancer Foundation that was the winner. The effort raised $2,190.50. They announced this just before the second half kick-off.

Back to the football game. Franklin's defense came hot and did something very few teams have managed. They stopped Ethen Knox and forced a turnover on downs.

They followed that up with a long pass play when quarterback Jason Carey hit Cole Buckley for a big gain. That was short-lived however when Knox intercepted his next pass.

The Knights defense was still out to play but Knox and company began wearing them down and Knox finally saw some daylight with a 35-yard run to score.

Since Franklin was making it difficult for Knox a few others stepped up including Dane Ley who tossed a perfect ball to Hayden Wilson who the scampered stiff arming defenders all the way to the end-zone. The pass play spanned half a field.

Suddenly Oil City seemed to have it figured out. They kept pounding and Knox recorded three runs over 50 yards including an 80 yarder in the third Quarter. It seamed like an off night for the Oil City star runner, but according to Explore Venango and The Derrick it was his third game in a row totaling over 400 yards.

Maybe the yards just seemed harder as others got in on the action.

Reserves came in at the end and were even able to contribute. Noah Sanchez rushed for a pair of touchdowns late in the contest.

And Carl Chelton had some solid runs as well.

On Franklin's side they were without there starting quarterback Hunter Marsteller, but Jason Carey filled in nicely throwing the ball well despite Oil City's tough defense taking three of his passes away.

It was the return of coach Matt Turk after he served his two game suspension after being ejected from the first game of the season.

Oil City hits the road to face Northwestern next before returning home to take on another very hot Meadville team. Meadville obliterated Titusville Friday night.

Franklin returns home next week to face 2-2 Mercyhurst prep who will bring a two-game winning streak with them.

Rocky back on track with two straight wins

9/15/2022

Rocky Grove Took down Kennedy Catholic and Farrell.

Varsity took beat Farrell, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 25-12 on Tuesday. They followed that up with a win in four against Kennedy, 25-9, 22-25, 25-11, 25-20.

Coach Mike Stevenson crew is now 2-2 on the season heading into a showdown with Venango Catholic on Monday at home

Standouts for the week were Courtney Clark who had 46 points over two games with a dozen kills and served up 10 aces.
Natalie Sloss 22 points with a couple kills and aces.
Katie Beggs has 27 points with 13 aces and 16 kills.
Delana Pyle has been stellar with 42 points overall with seven digs.
Paige Cresswell had nine points, a couple blocks and four kills.
Abby Cable has compiled 26 points and nine kills.
Josie Seely chipped in five kills and blocks.
Kaidlynn Burger has had 5 nine digs and
Olivia Faust has added 14 points and 7aces.

Oil City team prevails despite top finishers from Franklin

9/14/2022

Both Nadalie Latchaw and Caleb Prettyman of Franklin finished with their closest competitors not even in sight Tuesday. Latchaw was nearly four minutes faster than Oil City's top runner Baine Snyder and her bright acid green shoes. But Oil City girls had the next seven places before Franklin's other two runners crossed the line. Oil City won the meet.

On the boys side Prettyman beat Oil City's Jack Mumford by 23 seconds followed by OC's Elijah Brosius. Prettyman's brother Jay came in 45 seconds after his brother to take fourth. But Oil City took 13 out of the last 16 places.

See more photos at https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p942406079

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For a very comprehensive look ate Venango Sports visit our friend's website: yardsandpoints.com is a website dedicated the long history of the Oil City and Franklin football rivalry by former sports editor Penny Weichel. It is an amazing labor of love and valuable resource for history. It is our go-to here at 8and322.com.

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