Franklin Quarterback Hunter Marsteller hit Cole Buckley for a short pass late in the second quarter after the Knights fell behind 20 to zip. Buckley took the ball in his hands, twisted his body around, broke a tackle here, broke a take there and scampered 49 yards before being taken down at the 13. Prior to that play not much good was happening for Franklin. Now they could smell the end-zone. "Boy we needed that," said old Doc Fee said as he made the long trek up the sidelines for the next play. After struggling to move the ball for positive yards and giving the homestanding Hickory Hornets the ball on couple turnovers this seemed like the spark they needed. It was the first hole in Hickory's defense that seemed to be in the Knight's backfield before the snap of each ball during the first three possessions of the game. And it was the last. Hickory stopped the Knights dead in their tracks the next three downs and even pushed them back a few yards forcing the golden leg of kicker Nate Pfenningwerth to have to power one through the uprights from 35 yards out. That was the extent of Franklin’s highlight reel for the long evening. Hickory kept pounding their way through Franklin's line tormenting Marsteller, taking out back Toby Sanchez's legs before the speedy back could get momentum and the Hornets just seemed to know where each play was headed - closing holes before they could form. On offense the Hornets just kept out muscling the Knights for a lot of yardage. If it weren't for the yellow flags being tossed to the point of looking more like the teams were playing in a field of Black-eyed Susans instead of artificial turf, Hickory just kept marching in a positive direction with little resistance from the beat up Franklin players. All in all they pounded out 62 points including a couple late touchdowns with the running clock in place and both teams getting their reserves some action. Franklin was with out three key starters: the talented tight-end Drew Wilkinson, senior Jackson Ewing and running back/strong safety Bryson Watson out with injuries. This didn't help matters. Assistant coach Paul Weidman was thrust into managing the team as head coach Matt Turk was watching from afar serving a two-game suspension after being ejected in the first week game in Titusville. Franklin hopes to bounce back next week when they host General McLane in their home opener. |
See more photos at: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p238127156 See more photos at: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p238127156
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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. Categories |