Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Miguel Cruz fights for possession in Franklin’s stunning come-from-behind win over East Henderson Oct. 9.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Miguel Cruz fights for possession in Franklin’s stunning come-from-behind win over East Henderson Oct. 9.

Men’s soccer wins thriller over East Henderson

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Panther men’s soccer have earned their first conference win in a thriller. After a difficult start to their Mountain Seven schedule, dropping their first three matches including two by one goal apiece, on the week of Oct. 7 Franklin had a chance to right the ship.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin seniors Josh McGaha (center) and Caryll Cook (right) chase a loose ball following a sack-fumble from promising freshman Garrett Young (left). Cook would recover the loose ball and return it to North Henderson’s 1-yard line, where senior Braydon Hervey punched it in for a touchdown.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin seniors Josh McGaha (center) and Caryll Cook (right) chase a loose ball following a sack-fumble from promising freshman Garrett Young (left). Cook would recover the loose ball and return it to North Henderson’s 1-yard line, where senior Braydon Hervey punched it in for a touchdown.

Football routs North in Pit’s last Homecoming

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
The good times keep rolling for Panther football. Two weeks after Hurricane Helene and three weeks after their last game, on Oct. 11 they returned to Franklin for a Homecoming game with North Henderson.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Abigail Angel (left) hits a difficult backhand while her doubles partner Kate Phillips guards the net Oct. 9.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Abigail Angel (left) hits a difficult backhand while her doubles partner Kate Phillips guards the net Oct. 9.

Phillips, Angel win M7 title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Panther women’s tennis has secured their third straight conference title. On the week of Oct. 7 Heather Bell’s team faced a busy slate of matches, playing their last match of the regular season and the Mountain Seven Conference Tournament.
On Oct. 5 Panther cheer and dance gathered food and supplies at Discover Church for delivery to hard-hit Henderson County Oct. 7 (Press photo/Will Woolever).

On Oct. 5 Panther cheer and dance gathered food and supplies at Discover Church for delivery to hard-hit Henderson County Oct. 7 (Press photo/Will Woolever).

Panthers aid in recovery efforts

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Panther athletes have been heavily involved in disaster relief in recent weeks. After Tropical Storm Helene slammed WNC Sept 27, several FHS teams have taken part in recovery efforts, from assembling first-aid kits for workers to collecting and distributing aid from across the region.
Senior Caroline Deal makes a difficult return at the net in Franklin’s #2 doubles match versus Rabun Gap-Nacoochee Oct. 3 (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Senior Caroline Deal makes a difficult return at the net in Franklin’s #2 doubles match versus Rabun Gap-Nacoochee Oct. 3 (Press photo/Will Woolever)

11-1 tennis routs Eagles, readies for playoffs

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Panther women’s tennis is eying their third straight Mountain Seven title. After a nine-day hiatus due to Tropical Storm Helene, the team returned to action Oct. 3 with a home match versus Rabun Gap-Nacoochee.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Maggie Shields prepares to spike a ball on Senior Night versus Smoky Mountain Oct. 4 on Tom Raby Court.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Maggie Shields prepares to spike a ball on Senior Night versus Smoky Mountain Oct. 4 on Tom Raby Court.

18-1 volleyball eyes postseason

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
It’s been a strange end to a near-perfect regular season for Panther volleyball. Following a nine-day hiatus due to Tropical Storm Helene, Franklin’s JV and varsity teams finally returned to action Oct. 4.
Photo courtesy of Kimberly Timan - (From left) Maddie Holden, Alexa Morales and Nadia Owle traverse the site of the Cherokee Mother Town at Kituwah in the Keith Payne Memorial Invitational Sept. 21.

Photo courtesy of Kimberly Timan - (From left) Maddie Holden, Alexa Morales and Nadia Owle traverse the site of the Cherokee Mother Town at Kituwah in the Keith Payne Memorial Invitational Sept. 21.

Cross country readies for conference

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Panther cross country is halfway through the regular season. After previewing the State Championship course in Kernersville two weeks before, on Sept. 21 Franklin returned to action much closer to home.
Kate Phillips volleys a ball while Abigail Angel guards the baseline in Franklin’s #1 doubles match versus East Henderson Sept. 16. (Press file photo)

Kate Phillips volleys a ball while Abigail Angel guards the baseline in Franklin’s #1 doubles match versus East Henderson Sept. 16. (Press file photo)

Tennis nears 3rd straight M7 title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Panther women’s tennis had little to improve on last week. After suspending their contest with Tuscola due to rain five days before, Franklin faced a busy week of Sept. 23, including the remainder of their contest with Tuscola and full matches with Pisgah and North Henderson.
Press file photo - Freshman Ella Raby lifts a ball over the net versus East Henderson on Tom Raby Court Sept. 17.

Press file photo - Freshman Ella Raby lifts a ball over the net versus East Henderson on Tom Raby Court Sept. 17.

Volleyball enters home stretch

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Panther volleyball is entering the home stretch as one of the region’s top-ranked teams. Ahead of the week of Sept. 23, Franklin boasted one of the 3A West’s best records, sitting at 17-1 with just six matches to play.