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Franklin Knights
Boys
Coach (season, record): Ryan Rudegeair (2nd season, 7-9-1)
2011 overall record: 7-9-1
2011 region record (place): 4-6-0 (fourth)
2011 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class AA playoffs.
Top players lost: Cain Kurtich, Alec Sturtz, Matt Liotta, Tyler Powell, Elijah Cooke, Mac Richey
Top returning players: Noah Jones, Logan Mooney, Teddy Richards, Jeremy Scott
Assistant coach: C.P. Mooney
Outlook: Franklin was a competitive team last fall under new head coach Ryan Rudegeair, but the Knights are looking to take the next step and make the playoffs this year. Franklin moved into a new region and will need to rebuild its defense. The starting defense of Cain Kurtich, Alec Sturtz, Matt Liotta and Tyler Powell have all graduated along with Mac Richey and third-leading scorer and all-region first-team selection Elijah Cooke. Kurtich was a first-team selection on defense and Sturtz was on the second team. Elijah’s brother Issac Cooke could step in right away as a junior. The defense will need some work as all four starting positions needs to be filled. Seniors Josh Seyler and Andrew Frederick along with junior Dexter Smith could all earn starting jobs on defense. Seyler started at midfield last year but will drop back to play defense. Franklin returns goalkeeper Noah Jones, who will only be in his second year of soccer but provides a big wall at 6 feet, 8 inches. Leading scorer Logan Mooney, a second-team offensive player, returns after scoring nine goals and dishing out eight assists last year along with second-leading scorer Teddy Richards (8 goals, 10 assists). Senior Jeremy Scott is back and had a strong end to the 2011 season. Scott could be a player to keep an eye on along with freshman Colt Byers. Franklin has the tough task of adjusting to a new region, featuring powerhouses Grove City, Slippery Rock and Hickory. The Knights need to rebuild their defense quickly in order to be competitive with some of Mercer County’s best teams.

Schedule
September
1 at Titusville 11 a.m.
8 at Meadville 2
11 Oil City 4
13 Iroquois 4
17 Wilmington* 4
20 Slippery Rock* 4
25 at Grove City* 4
27 Hickory* 4
29 Titusville 11 a.m.
October
1 at Sharon* 4
3 at Wilmington* 4
9 at Slippery Rock* 4
11 Grove City* 4
13 Meadville 11 a.m.
15 at Hickory* 7:30
17 Sharon* 6:30
20 at Oil City 11 a.m.
24 at Sharpsville 4
*Region 2 matches

Note: Franklin does not have a girls soccer team.

Saturday: General McLane

– Tom Reisenweber

Franklin Knights
Boys
Coach (season, record): Ryan Rudegair
2010 overall record: 10-8-0
2010 region record (place): 4-6-0 (fourth)
2010 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs
Top players lost: Nic Jones, Michael Crockett, Brandon Benvenuti
Top returning player: Alec Sturtz
Outlook: Ryan Rudegair takes over a Franklin program looking to continue its strong play. The Knights were above .500 last fall and will need some offensive threats to emerge in camp. The Franklin defense is solid with all-region defense selection Alec Sturtz back, but the Knights lost Nic Jones to graduation as well as Michael Crockett and goalkeeper Brandon Benvenuti. The defense returns three starters along with three midfielders. The Knights will look for some offense as the year goes on and needs to score some goals to compete in region matches.

Schedule
September
3 Sharon 4
8 at Fairview 4
12 Mercyhurst Prep 4
14 at Iroquois 7
20 Bradford* 4
22 Oil City* 4
28 Warren* 4
October
4 at Corry* 4
6 at Titusville* 4
8 Cranberry TBA
10 at Bradford* 4
13 at Oil City* 4
15 at Maplewood 10 a.m.
17 Sharon 4
18 at Warren* 5
20 Corry* 4
24 Titusville* 4
27 at Cathedral Prep 6

Note: Franklin does not have a girls soccer team.

Saturday: General McLane

– Tom Reisenweber