Franklin's long high school football season came to an end Friday with the team putting up 40 points only to lose to the Sailors by one point in overtime. Scoring 40 points was a big deal given they struggled offensively most of the year with their highest point total coming in a loss to Warren where they tallied 29 points.
They scored 23 points in their only win of the season in week five agains Conneaut. The Knights ended up 1-9 overall and finished sixth Region 5.
As we have reported several times this season, this was a season of growth and heart.
And heart is what senior leadership showed this young team with folks like Autin Beatty who decided he needed to play this season no matter what.
They scored 23 points in their only win of the season in week five agains Conneaut. The Knights ended up 1-9 overall and finished sixth Region 5.
As we have reported several times this season, this was a season of growth and heart.
And heart is what senior leadership showed this young team with folks like Autin Beatty who decided he needed to play this season no matter what.
Over last summer, a momentary lapse in judgment piloting a four wheeler around a bend almost cost Austin the chance of wearing number 62 for his senior year.
It landed him in the hospital with some broken bones in his back."I was hurting," he said but his eye was on getting back to the football field. "There is no way I was going to miss this ."
It wasn't just his senior year or playing the sport he loves. He had another reason he wanted to be out there with his teammates. "They are my family," he said.
"I just want to see this team get better in the future. Anything I can do to help teach my young teammates to be better for next year and the year after that. I love these guys.
It landed him in the hospital with some broken bones in his back."I was hurting," he said but his eye was on getting back to the football field. "There is no way I was going to miss this ."
It wasn't just his senior year or playing the sport he loves. He had another reason he wanted to be out there with his teammates. "They are my family," he said.
"I just want to see this team get better in the future. Anything I can do to help teach my young teammates to be better for next year and the year after that. I love these guys.
  | This is a prevailing attitude among the core group of Franklin High School students all season. They keep calling their team a family and they support each other as they learn together. Senior like Beatty showed that it isn't just about winning. "These boys are growing and improving every week." Coach Turk added after Saturday's overtime loss. "If this group sticks together we are going to be very good but we got a lot of work to do in the weight room." The weight room was discussed often this season and Turk said in the locker room his kids were already asking when it will be open so they can work out. So even though the 2021 season won't go down in the record books as one of the Knight's best season, this team hopes this season began a path towards teams that will be at the top of that list in years to come. |
As for the other parts of the Franklin Knight football season, the cheer squads will now move indoors with those wanting to continue picking between the wresting and basketball programs. The band will move on to performing at the Light-up Night Parade, indoor concerts and raising funds for their trip to Washington D.C. to perform in the Memorial Day parade in the nation's capitol.
At Saturday's game, long-time announcer Brian Said announced the turf field is scheduled for replacement with a new Knight insignia at midfield and colorful end zones. He said the current turf has served out its usefulness and this will give the football team a new field to look forward to next year.
See more photos from the game below and click on this link to view even more. There are also photos from nearly every other game this season on this website. https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p1036820398
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