Photos: Franklin went north to face a formidable foe

If taking a poll of 12 local sports journalists last week on who would win the Franklin at Mercyhurst Prep football game last week, 12 would have picked the then 4-0 Lakers to defeat the then 0-4 Knights.

And 12 of the journalists would've been right.

The devilish score ended 66-6.
​
Prep is a very good football team.They have amassed a total of 286 points averaging 57 points per game while giving up only 33 points or just over six points per game. 

Franklin didn't give up the most points to the Lakers this season but a close second behind Northwestern's 72 points a week prior.

And the Lakers dominated the at times befuddled Knight's offense who struggled early on with substitutions.

The one highlight came in the second half as the Knights put together a scoring drive culminating in Jason Carey to Dreyden Payne touchdown to prevent the shutout.

The Knights dropped to 0-5, but perhaps see a little light ahead with their next two games against also winless Warren and Seneca. 

They are all due, but none more than Franklin who hasn't won since they defeated Conneaut on September 24 2021. Warren was blanked in their first two games but have averaged a couple touchdowns a game the last three weeks. Their top player Tommy Nyquist has been sidelined with an injury so far this season. 

​Seneca had a very good football team a year ago but has struggled this season getting shutout last week against Titusville. They are giving up nearly 40 points game.

These next two weeks might be the Knight's best chance to get the monkey off its back and put something back in the win column. They have shown promise at times this season scoring first against Oil City while holding the normally explosive Oilers from scoring on their first three possessions. They moved the ball very well, but struggled to convert against Titusville in the opener. They are an improved squad over the 0-10 team from last year, but still have not managed to get into the win column. They are averaging two scores a game despite only visiting the end-zone once Friday.

The Knights will travel to Warren this Friday and host Seneca the following week. They then face the very good Meadville Bulldogs who are  4-1, only losing Butler. They then have another shot at a win against Conneaut who are 2-3 beating both Warren and Seneca. They close out their season again the currently 5-0 Lakeview Sailors.

See more photographs at https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p29452238