SPORTS
SECTION
The Knights and Oilers met at the Oil Field for an ancient rivalry that dates back to the nineteenth century.  A freezing rain failed to
stop the mighty OCHS offensive roll, with Franklin falling to 0-7 for the season with a 49-7 loss Friday night. The Oilers are now 6-2
and eyeing a playoff berth in November.
Click photo for story.
Click for Oil City vs. Cranberry
Youth Football League action
from Saturday, Oct. 10.
As we near the end of the
basketball season, please
take a look back at the
Franklin High School girls'
playoff run March 2009
(click photo of Kaitlyn
Ritchey and Brooke Deal).
Joe Lodanosky's
sports analysis
Steelers website (click)
Penguins website (click)
Sports Illustrated
The Oil Region Soccer Assn. (at left, in red)
fell to visiting Kinzua-Warren at the Cranberry
soccer field in November, 2-0.
NBC Sports
The Oilers fell to the Northeast
Grapepickers in the first round of the
playoffs at Harborcreek. Click photo
for more images.
Special Feature:
Youth Sports in Venango Co.
Football, Basketball and Soccer
Click for H.S. sports schedules:
Franklin
Oil City
Rocky Grove
Venango Catholic
Cranberry (n/a - call 676-8504)
ESPN Magazine
2-25-10 CUP Tippin Gym
The Berry Boys fell to the Wolves,
59-47, in the first round of the
District 9 AA playoffs. Coleman
Willison's blocked shot (left) was
representative of the problems
Cranberry faced as they battled the
much-bigger Kane squad.
Third-year coach Eric O'Polka led a
class comprised of only
underclassmen. By half-time, the
Berries were down 33-18, and they
continued to trail by double digits
throughout the second half.
Ryan Willison attempts a jump shot over
a Kane defender. The Berries fell to the
Kane Wolves last week in the first round
of the District 9 Class AA playoffs at
Clarion University.
The Lady Berries
dominated in the first round
of the District 9 Class AA
playoffs, 51-22, against the
Keystone Panthers (click
photo for game story).
They then decimated the
Kane Wolves on March 5,
advancing to the state
tournament (click photo).
Rocky Grove fans rushed the court following the Orioles'
remarkable comeback, 53-51, in the semi-finals of the
District 10 Class A playoffs. The Orangemen then downed
Linesville for the title on March 5 at Meadville H.S.,
advancing to the state tournament beginning Friday March
12 (TBA). Click photo of Dylan Gravatt (left) for game story.
Sadie Gravatt
runs into a
Lady Rocket
buzz saw in
the second
round of the
District 10
Class AAA
playoffs. The
Lady Knights
fell to Slippery
Rock, 61-57.
Franklin battled powerfully through three post-
season contests, attempting to repeat with a
second consecutive District 10 Class AA
title. Following playoff victories over Hickory
and Westminster, the Knights narrowly fell to
Sharpsville, 5-4, in the championship at
Slippery Rock University.
Coach Gary Shingledecker’s Knights went
into the title tilt on a winning streak, having
lost only one of their previous 11 games.
After beating Hickory in the opening round
of the tournament, Franklin went on to win
the semi-final round over the Westminster
Greyhounds. This victory was indicative
of the Knights’ hard-driving year, with the
defending champs scoring 3 runs in the top
of the eighth to punch their ticket to the
championship round. Their luck would run
short against Sharpsville, though, as the Blue
Devils secured the D-10 trophy with strong
hitting and spectacular saves, edging out
Franklin’s youthful squad in their quest to
defend their title.
Senior Dean Mong brought the heat
during the Knights’ playoff run,
recording a 2-1 record in the
postseason. Mong would complete the
season with First Team and Pitcher of
the Year honors in District 10.
Knights shortstop
Cody Trinch puts out
a Sharpsville runner at
2nd in the District 10
championship game.
The Erie Seawolves mascot, C. Wolf, rounds second base in a race with kids
between innnings at the PA All-Stars state championship tournament for 10-11
year olds. Cranberry Little League hosted the tourney, and an earlier one two
weeks earlier, at their well-appointed complex beside the high school.
Franklin fell to West Point, 16-10, in
early August, then lost to  Newtown
the next day, completing their season
with a Third Place finish for
Pennsylvania 10-11 year-old All-Stars.
Click photo for slideshow of the games.
Trey Weaver hits a sacrifice fly deep
into center field, with bases loaded.
Following is a report on the Ryan Hart FHS Alumni Fundraiser Baseball game played in October.
Courtesy of FHS senior Dalton Johnson, who organized the event as his senior project.

The final score of the Alumni Baseball game was 12-7, with the winners being the Alumni team. The
Alumni played a decent defense, but obviously they are a little older and had their mistakes. The Alumni
finished with 11 hits. Mark Shouey went 2 for 2 with a double, homerun( a bomb), and a walk. Brian
Schmidt had a double and a single. Bundi Fulmer had a double. Gary Shingledecker had 2 singles. Zach
Sterner had a triple. Kevin Hesson and Brian Smith each added a single. A lot of the runs for the Alumni
were resulted from errors on the field by the high school team. Regardless, the alumni brought their
bats with them and hit a lot better than most old men. Zach Sterner started on the mound. He was
followed by Thomas hearst, Dean Mong, Ryan Ramfos, and Bundi Fulmer, respectively. They
combined for 17 strikeouts and 1 walk.

The High school team had 9 hits. Mason Mcfeaters led the team with 4 singles. Brandon Miller had 2
singles. Cody Trinch, Nolan Hall, and Trent Smith each added a single. Even though we finished with
only two less hits than the alumni, the high school team was plagued with strike outs and defensive
mishaps (mainly physical). Dalton Johnson started on the mound and was followed by Nick Emerson,
Tyler Mooney, Brandon Miller, and Alex Hoover, Respectively.

Overall Recap: The game started out as a close contest, not so much of a pitchers duel though. The
Alumni pulled ahead during the middle innings, but the highschool team battled back. Cody Trinch
scored three times by the bat of mason Mcfeaters. It was 7-6 going into the 6th, 9-6going into the
seventh, and 12-7 going into the 8th.

During the game there was a Chinese Auction taking place and in between innings winners would be
drawn. The concession stand was up and running. Rich Herringer and Herb Bigley kept the game lively
with their humor from the press box. A signed Jeff Reed football and a signed jersey signed by Franklin’
s own Zack Sterner. They had its own separate auction, and it was auctioned off last.

They event was a success and we raised a little over $4,000 dollars. Ryan also has $ 1,000 coming
from disclosed individuals. Everyone had a good time and it was an extremely laid back game.
Although, Franklin competitive spirit was never lost. The event is going to become an annual event and
everyone is excited for next year. I’m looking forward to be able to play on the Alumni team next year.

Donations can be sent to Franklin High School, Pone Lane, c/o the Red & Black Booster Club. Well-
wishes to Ryan Hart can be sent to his step-father, Walt Hoffman -- waltaudreysdad@aol.com.
2009 FHS grad Ryan
Hart (left) and FHS
senior Dalton Johnson
Former FHS baseball
coach Harry Miller
(center) goes over
the alumni lineup
with Roy
Shingledecker's
players prior to the
game.
Ryan Hart (center)
coached the FHS
players in the matchup
against FHS alumni.