Knight's may be staring at another long campaign

Editors Note: This has been modified since first posting to correct the wrong name of Franklin's scorer. We apologize for our error.

Op/Ed.

​We have only watched one half of the opening of the season game, so we really cannot say much about this team as a whole thus far, but early first impression seem to point towards another long season.

Coach Matt Turk's tenure since taking over the program in 2021 hasn't produced a winning season and has only seven wins to over 30 losses including last nights 33-6 loss to Mercer on the road.

The defense started off the game looking strong forcing a couple punts early, but by halftime they found themselves staring at a 21-0 deficit. The offense couldn't move the ball for positive yardage early on and when they seemed to catch a break like Caden Mincer's zigzagging long run for a touchdown being called back due to a holding call.

Then when they were marching towards the endzone late in the first half they coughed up the ball and Mercer corralled it ending a chance for cutting into the Mustangs' lead.

The Knights will be working on blocking schemes. Several Mustangs penetrated into the backfield untouched not allowing running backs to get moving forward or the quarterbacks to  even see the field.

They did manage to score when Freddie Blackhurst hit freshman Ryder Stevens for a fourth-quarter touchdown according to yardsandpoints.com.​

It wasn't the Knight's night.
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It's hard to know what the answer is for Franklin. They haven't managed a winning season in 20 years with three different coaches. 

They take on Slippery Rock next week to start a three game homestead also taking on Warren And General McLane before hitting the road.

Slippery Rock dropped their first game in a tclose game against Fairview. Warren has been struggling the last few years got crewed by Connect on opening night. McLane also lost it's opener, but scored 35 points against a very good Dubois.

They are not in a friendly region for struggling teams with tough perennial powerhouses McLane, Meadville and an apparent resurgent Oil City. Warren is certainly a team they could beat and as anyone who knows football, maturing during a season and injuries can change everything around. 

​So we'll see how the season unfolds.