Coveted Route 8 sign remains in Oil City

Since 2017 Oil City has owned the Route 8 sign that has served as the trophy between the two rivals. During that time the Oilers have scored 445 points to Franklin's 58. Franklin's six points last night came from the foot of Rocky Grove's Connor Ritchey.
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Franklin's young team was just beat up Friday, though at times they proved they could find creases and move the ball. After going down a touchdown, Franklin got a 50-plus yard run from Caden Mincer. They couldn't turn the run into momentum and settled for a 35-yard field goal.

Oil City's Steven Heise was a touchdown magnet rendering five while rushing for nearly 200 yards against the Knights.

Whatever Franklin did well, Oil City countered. After Ricthey's  field goal, De'Vaughn Griffin took a kickoff 92 yards for another score.

Franklin was able to move the ball against Oil City early on, but all they could muster was another field goal. and that's all they had in this one. A late drive in the game got them to the one, but they couldn't punch it in and turned it over on downs.

It's a young team, making young team mistakes, but, when they are playing clean, they get yards. They gained over 160 yards despite fumbles and bad snaps at times. Take away those and the game was much closer.

That's where experience and depth in a program pays off for Oil City who move to 5-4 overall this season. They've ridden several positive years including a bunch of D10 titles into depth, something Franklin has struggled to do with their struggle for wins. The Knight's haven't had a winning season since 2006. They made the playoffs with a .500 record during that time but they haven't managed a higher number in the W column in a long time.

Oil City took a 29-6 lead into halftime and increased their lead, and started the running clock early in the third on a couple Knight's miscues. The Oiler's gained over 350 yards.

It doesn't really matter what the records are when it comes down to community rivalries. Sure there are bragging rights, but each school, which also includes co-ops with Cranberry and Rocky Grove, try to do something that shows that the rivalry is really family. All four schools gathered together to raise  easily more than a $1,000 to help people in the midst of a battle with cancer.

The schools sold, for a $1 a paper link on a chain to see who would create the longest chain. The old adage that the a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link shows these two schools, made up of four local communities are stronger together, The money raised goes to the Kirtland Foundation that uses the money to help cancer patients be sure they can make their crucial appointments.

So, beyond the sport,  life goes on and everyone understands that there are more important things than who won or lost, though it is fun to keep the rivalries alive for bragging rights by by middle-aged folks on bar stools 20 years from now.

Both squads have potentially winnable games in their final week. Franklin taking on Class A Lakeview who are 4-5 on the season, has a chance to end their season with three wins. They already have the second winningest season under coach Matt Turk. Last year's senior heavy team had four wins at the end of the season.
The Oilers will face a surprisingly top tier Corry team who are 7-2  and looking to start the 3A playoffs on top of their region tied with Fort Leboeuf.

Below are more photos from this rivalry game that was also Franklin's senior night. All of these people are our community.

October 31, November 1 and 2 at 7 p.m. at Franklin High School. This show is a co-op between Franklin and Rocky Grove featuring som exceptionable alent.