Young Franklin Team Looking for Better Things in 2021

| August 25, 2021


FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — Being a first-year football coach is a difficult endeavor under normal circumstances.

Throw in a global pandemic, little offseason to speak of, and the installation of a complicated triple-option offense, and being a first-year coach is particularly taxing.

(Above photo, Franklin football coach Matt Turk celebrates with one of his coaches. Phhoto courtesy of Richard Sayer/Eight & 322)

Matt Turk ran into that kind of scenario in 2020 at Franklin High School. It’s no wonder then that the Knights struggled to a 1-8 record.

But a new year brings with it new optimism. Turk has had a year to put in his offense, which can be a nightmare for opponents to deal with when it is humming. The coach has also had a true offseason for the first time since taking over the Franklin program.

“We feel a lot better,” Turk said. “The kids now know our system. We got a year under our belt together. We’ve set the standard. They’re really rising to the occasion. The offseason lifting went very well. We’re coming off a great two weeks of camp and they’re starting to get comfortable, no question.”

Turk is clear about not using the tumult of 2020 as an excuse.

“Adversity does not build character, it reveals it,” Turk said. “We stayed together as a coaching staff and as a team last year. We were certainly thrown adversity, but our character rose to the occasion. I was very, very proud of our program and how we handled everything last year.”

That makes Turk especially excited about this campaign. His roster swelled by nearly a dozen and he said he had some spirited competition at some key positions this camp, including quarterback.

Cole Buckley won the job and will run the triple-option attack for the Knights. Carson Wible and Wyatt Bell will be the main running backs in the offense. Hunter Marsteller, who was in the quarterback battle, will move to the wing.

The key to mastering the triple-option is time. So is building a winning program.

Turk is tackling both tasks.

“You know, having a younger football team that we do — we still have a number of freshmen and sophomores that start for us — so it’s gonna take a little bit of time,” Turk said. “But once it starts humming, we’re going to be hard to beat down the road. We’re building this program and we’re being patient.”

Defense was a bugaboo for Franklin last season. The Knights gave up 47 points per game.

Of course, the Knights did square off against some high-powered offenses in both Oil City and Meadville. Their one win was a 28-0 shutout of Titusville.

Turk is hoping to see more of that defense than the one he saw against Oil City and Meadville.

“We’re in one of the premier regions in Western Pa. It’s very competitive,” Turk said. “Oil City has set the bar. Meadville always contends. But you can’t forget about General McLane and Harbor Creek. It’s a very, very tough region. We have to tackle better. We have to be more sound on defense. We have to be more aggressive and do the basics better to get those points given down. That’s been the main focus all summer long.”

Turk said he has seen cause for optimism.

Marsteller has impressed in camp. Buckley has played well at free safety. Bell, a sophomore, has excelled at corner and Drew Wilkinson has been a beast at defensive end.

And Wible has been steady at linebacker.

“He’s not only our captain, he’s our star fullback and star linebacker,” Turk said.

Sounds like the makings of a good defensive core.

“We’re been excited by those guys,” Turk said. “If they stay healthy and sound, they’re gonna be pretty good.”

Turk is aware it won’t necessarily happen overnight.

“It feels like every day we’re improving,” Turk said. “They’re starting to get it.”

FRANKLIN AT A GLANCE

COACH: Matt Turk

LAST YEAR: 1-8, beat Titusville, 28-0.

STRENGTHS: Young talent. The Knights have a bevy of younger players with huge upside. Couple that with a triple-option offense that, once it is run crisply can be a terror for opponents to stop, Franklin can be a thorn in the side of teams.

WEAKNESSES: Young talent comes with inexperience and inexperience can lead to significant growing pains. … Franklin also plays in one of the toughest regions around, making it hard to see progress at times. It can also affect the confidence of a young team.

OUTLOOK: Turk is trying to build a program and he is as aware as anyone that it takes time. The Knights may make some big strides this season, but it may not be reflected in the win-loss column.


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