Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever - A gang of Panthers tackles a Smoky Mountain ball carrier Nov. 8. From left (wearing white) are Braydon Hervey, Addix Sutton and Talon Smith.

Press photo/Will Woolever - A gang of Panthers tackles a Smoky Mountain ball carrier Nov. 8. From left (wearing white) are Braydon Hervey, Addix Sutton and Talon Smith.

Football falls to Mustangs

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Panther football is through to the 3A state playoffs. On Friday, Nov. 8, the Panthers traveled to Sylva for their last game of the regular season, a Mountain Seven Conference clash with Smoky Mountain.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Swiss army knife Paxton Sutton stiffarms a Tuscola defender at the Panther Pit Oct. 28.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Swiss army knife Paxton Sutton stiffarms a Tuscola defender at the Panther Pit Oct. 28.

JV football eyes 3rd straight winning season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Another successful season is nearly over for Panther JV football. In just his second season as JV head coach, FHS graduate Landon Potter has had his work cut out for him, in everything from instilling his own culture to missing time due to Hurricane Helene.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Cross country sends 3 to state

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Franklin’s top distance runners are through to the state meet. After strong showings at the Mountain Seven Conference meet, on Oct. 26 Panther cross country traveled to Salisbury for the 3A West Regional.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Former Panther athletes and their families are pictured in a halftime ceremony at the Panther Pit’s final regular-season game Nov. 1.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Former Panther athletes and their families are pictured in a halftime ceremony at the Panther Pit’s final regular-season game Nov. 1.

Panther Pit receives send-off

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
After 75 years, the Panther Pit has seen its last regular-season game. Ahead of major renovations planned for immediately following the season, Friday, Nov. 1, was a unique night in the stadium’s history, with generations of Panther fans gathering to give it a proper send-off.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior defender Alex Trivett fights for possession versus Smoky Mountain at the Panther Pit Oct. 23.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior defender Alex Trivett fights for possession versus Smoky Mountain at the Panther Pit Oct. 23.

Soccer stays in playoff field with comeback win

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Panther men’s soccer is keeping their state playoff hopes alive. In the midst of a difficult schedule Franklin’s young team has had its ups and downs, entering their last five regular season matches needing a strong finish.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore quarterback Anderson Terrell takes a hit but delivers the throw versus West Henderson Oct. 25.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore quarterback Anderson Terrell takes a hit but delivers the throw versus West Henderson Oct. 25.

Football suffers first loss

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Panther football has suffered its first loss of the season. Having won their first six games convincingly, on Oct. 25 Franklin hosted West Henderson for their toughest test yet.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Caroline Deal (left) guards the net while fellow senior Maci Stork serves versus South Rowan Oct. 23.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Caroline Deal (left) guards the net while fellow senior Maci Stork serves versus South Rowan Oct. 23.

Tennis continues playoff run

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Panther women’s tennis is deep in the state playoffs for a fourth straight year. Thanks to a strong showing at the Mountain Seven Conference Tournament the week before, the team’s top players traveled to Hickory Oct. 18 for the 3A West Regional.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin’s top distance runners are pictured with their All-Conference medals at the Mountain Seven Championship meet in Canton Oct. 16. From left are Morgan Cress, Matheson Post and Amy Mendoza Lopez.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin’s top distance runners are pictured with their All-Conference medals at the Mountain Seven Championship meet in Canton Oct. 16. From left are Morgan Cress, Matheson Post and Amy Mendoza Lopez.

Cross country girls place 2nd at conference

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Panther women’s cross country are Mountain Seven runners-up. On Tuesday, Oct. 16, the conference gathered at the International Paper Sports Complex for a seven-team meet to dole out bragging rights for the year.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Braydon Hervey leaves defenders in his wake at Tuscola Oct. 15.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Braydon Hervey leaves defenders in his wake at Tuscola Oct. 15.

Football outduels Tuscola

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Panther football remains unbeaten following a game with their best opponent yet. Just four days after routing North Henderson in the Panther Pit’s final Homecoming, on Tuesday, Oct. 15 the team traveled to Tuscola for a tougher test.
Press graphic

Press graphic

MEC athletics approved

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Macon County could soon have a fourth high school competing in athletics next year as the Board of Education gave its blessing to Macon Early College to apply for athletic status. This development came up during the Oct.