By T.J. Turrisi
October 30, 2009 — Tonight marks the 97th meeting between old Northwest Conference rivals Franklin and Meadville, as the Knights travel to Bender Field for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
The Bulldogs (3-5 overall, 1-2 Region 5) have won the last two meetings but are coming off a tough 31-13 loss to Grove City. Franklin (1-7, 0-3) just earned its first win of the season with an 8-0 final over Central Tech in Week 8.
The Knights are young and have been outscored 300-42 on the season. To make matters slightly worse, offensive statistical leader Randell Wilson will not play due to ineligibility.
“Not having Randell, he is a play-maker for us, that could hurt us a little bit,” head coach Dave Smith said. “But we are going into each game trying to win with whoever is here. It’s not a huge loss. He doesn’t play defense for us. Offensively is where the big hole is.
Wilson has 40 carries for 148 yards and a score and seven grabs for 105 and a TD. His younger brother, Romeo Cooley, may see some time in his absence according to Smith.
On a positive note, starting quarterback Nick Billingsley returns from illness.
“Having him back is good for us,” Smith said.
Billingsley has thrown for 312 yards on 34 completions this season and has also rushed 47 yards and a TD.
Other offensive leaders for Franklin are Jacob Uhler who has rushed 20 times for 77 stripes and a TD; Jesse DePietro has seven takes for 45 yards; and Jesse Worsk is the top receiver with nine snags for 148 yards.
Meadville coach Mike Pendolino has seen two different Franklin teams on tape, one more wide-open team from the beginning of the season, and a tight-formation power team in the mud from last week.
“There has been a little bit of progression from the beginning of the season,” he said. “They were more spread-like the first week. Then last week was a rough one against Central in the mud at their field, so we have seen two extremes from them. They seem to be pretty well-balanced.
“We need to play fundamental football and beat the man across from us, pursue, wrap up, tackle and all that kind of good stuff,” he added.
Much like Meadville it is fundamentals Smith has been stressing coming into each matchup.
“Our kids are getting better every week,” he said. “It was nice to finally get a win under our belt last week. We will have to play well on the road to beat Meadville. We have been talking about executing for four quarters, taking care of the ball and playing physical. We will definitely need to do those things (tonight).”
Defensively, the Knights have safeties Steven Myers and Travis Adams leading the way with very productive seasons.
Myers is the top tackler with 91 stops. Adams is second with 90.
“They’ve been really solid for us on defense,” Smith said. “They were two juniors last year that stepped up and made some plays for us.
“Myers has been a good player for us since he was a true freshman, and he is not doing anything to take back from that.”
Meadville will be aware of Myers on offense as well, as he has one rushing TD, 172 yards passing for two scores and 11 catches for 68 stripes.
“He seems to be a go-to guy from what we’ve seen on tape,” Pendolino said. “We need to be aware of him.”
Meadville’s leader in TDs is DeAirius Goodrum with six, and he tallied two last week. The leader in yards is Tyler Banks with 722 rushing.
Artrel Foster leads in receiving yards and catches with 10 snags for 104. Jarrod Kilburn is the passing leader with 29 completions for 348 and two TDs with four interceptions.
Terence Goodrum also has four touchdowns with two rushing, one receiving and one kick return.
The Bulldogs are 2-2 at home and 1-0 against Region 5 opponents at Bender Field this season.
“Meadville’s record may not show it, but they are a pretty good team,” Smith said. “I am nervous about this game, but I would like to finish this season off strong.”
