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
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