| Oh my. If you didn't stay to the end of the Friday night's game, you missed an epic overtime joust between opposing Knights - Franklin and Eisenhower. When Franklin drove the ball employing a no-huddle "push" offense, it looked like they found the answer for a comeback. Eisenhower was back on its heels for 61 and half yards. But in that last half yard a defender dislodged the ball from Jason Carey's arms and the drive stalled on the one yard-line with a turnover. All Eisenhower had to do was get a first down, control the ball and the game was theirs. But penalties killed them all night. |  |
Up two scores on the one-yard line, Ike's quarterback Caleb Jakubczak snuck up the middle for some breathing room to the five. Then a couple of penalties later they found themselves again on the one and had to punt from their own endzone.
Franklin's Freddie Blackhurst fielded the punt around the 40 and took it back to the 18.
A few plays later Franklin was in the endzone. A missed extra point left them down eight with under five minutes left.
Again, all Eisenhower needed was a first down or two and run out the clock, but Jakubczak, who had a monster game up until this point, lost the handle on a bizarre backwards lateral that scooted out into the open field. Landon Lynch picked it up and virtually walked it into the end zone.
Franklin's Freddie Blackhurst fielded the punt around the 40 and took it back to the 18.
A few plays later Franklin was in the endzone. A missed extra point left them down eight with under five minutes left.
Again, all Eisenhower needed was a first down or two and run out the clock, but Jakubczak, who had a monster game up until this point, lost the handle on a bizarre backwards lateral that scooted out into the open field. Landon Lynch picked it up and virtually walked it into the end zone.
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Franklin needed a two-point conversion for the tie.
On the plan, Blackhurst lost control of the ball and appeared to have recovered it around the four-inch line and rolled into endzone. No call was made immediately. Eisenhower players excitedly pointed in the opposite direction thinking they stopped Franklin while the Knights' sideline stood staring and waiting with their arms raised indicating a success.
On the plan, Blackhurst lost control of the ball and appeared to have recovered it around the four-inch line and rolled into endzone. No call was made immediately. Eisenhower players excitedly pointed in the opposite direction thinking they stopped Franklin while the Knights' sideline stood staring and waiting with their arms raised indicating a success.
After a bit of a huddle of referees and players from both sides, Franklin erupted and the game was tied.
Time ran out with neither team able to procure a go-ahead winning score.
Time ran out with neither team able to procure a go-ahead winning score.
In overtime, each team is given four downs to score. Eisenhower got the ball first, but the Franklin defense stopped them in four attempts. They elected to not try a field goal on fourth and five.
Franklin again took advantage with two handoffs to Caden Mincer and were in the end zone with winning touchdown. Franklin logged a thrilling homecoming win 40-34.
It was the Knight's second win of the season.
Franklin again took advantage with two handoffs to Caden Mincer and were in the end zone with winning touchdown. Franklin logged a thrilling homecoming win 40-34.
It was the Knight's second win of the season.
Mincer and Blackhurst combined for over 200 yards rushing. Eisenhower's Jakubczak had over 200 yards running and passing, as well as a catching an interception.
Franklin faces their Route 8 rival Oil City next week. The Knights have not beaten the Oilers since 2017.
Below are more photos from Friday's win.
Below are more photos from Friday's win.
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