Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Piper Wittekind makes an impressive dig versus Pisgah on Tom Raby Court Aug. 29.

Good times roll for 8-0 volleyball

Will Woolever

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Eight matches in, Panther volleyball has lost just a single set. Having earned their first Mountain Seven win over East Henderson five days before, on the week of Aug. 27 Franklin entered the heart of their conference schedule.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Abigail Angel (right) serves while Caroline Deal guards the net in Franklin’s #2 doubles match vs. Pisgah Aug. 26.

Tennis starts season 4-0

Will Woolever

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Four contests into the season, Panther women’s tennis has lost just one match. Having opened their season with successful trips to East Henderson (9-0) and Tuscola (8-1), on the week of Aug. 26 Franklin returned to the Macon County Rec Park for two more Mountain Seven Conference contests.

Press photos/Will Woolever - Senior linebacker Avery Carpenter grabs the jersey of Robbinsville’s quarterback behind the line of scrimmage at the Panther Pit Aug. 30.

Football routs Robbinsville, improves to 2-0

Will Woolever

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

The Panther Pit’s final season has kicked off in style. After a dominant win at Murphy to start the year, on Aug. 30 Franklin hosted Robbinsville in the Pit’s 75th home opener. With a 30-7 drubbing of the Black Knights, the upstart Panthers improved to 2-0.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore goalkeeper Ken Modlin punches a ball from danger versus Asheville Aug. 19.

Soccer falls to Asheville, beats BREC

Will Woolever

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

It’s been a week of extremes for Panther men’s soccer. After opening the year with two very different nonconference games, routing Highlands by nine goals and falling to Hendersonville by two, on the second week of the season Franklin faced another mixed bag.

Abigail Angel forehands a ball versus Pisgah Aug. 26 while fellow senior Caroline Deal guards the net.

Tennis routs East, Tuscola to open year

Will Woolever

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Franklin’s 3A State Semifinalists are back in action. Coming off the greatest two-year run in program history, including two trips to the state final four and two 3A West Doubles titles, on the week of Aug. 19 the Panthers began their fall campaign.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Aubrey Haley lifts a ball over the net in Franklin’s 3-0 home win over West Oak (Westminster, S.C.) Aug. 21.

Volleyball improves to 6-0; Queen out for season

Will Woolever

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

It’s been a bittersweet week for Panther volleyball. After a costly win over Murphy Aug. 15, from which senior outside hitter Cali Queen exited with a knee injury, Franklin soldiered on without their two-time All-Mountain Seven selection.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Braydon Hervey gains a tough extra yard in Franklin’s 33-13 rout of Murphy Aug. 23. Hervey finished with 197 yards and three touchdowns from scrimmage in Cherokee County.

Football bests Murphy 33-13

Will Woolever

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

It’s one win down and nine to go for Panther football. After a difficult 2023 and months of summer workouts, practice and scrimmages, on Aug. 23 Franklin opened their season versus Murphy for the fourth straight year.

Senior first baseman Jaxon Hursey makes an off-balance throw to first versus Tuscola on McConnell Field March 12. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

3 named All-M7C for baseball

Will Woolever

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Panther baseball was well represented on the All-Conference team this year. At the end of the regular season this spring, Mountain Seven coaches met for their annual postseason meeting to discuss conference business.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Panther hoops legend Lee Scruggs (back) is pictured with members of his Team Swish amateur travel team after winning the Phenom Hoops Tournament in Rock Hill, South Carolina, this spring.

Scruggs’ Team Swish gives back to WNC hoops

Will Woolever

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

For most college recruiters, WNC has never been sought-after for its basketball talent. When Panther legend Lee Scruggs graduated in 1997, going on to play at Georgetown and professional leagues all over the world, his unique mix of size and skillset was unprecedented in the area’s history.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior forward Greg Karcher (wearing black) beats Highlands goalkeeper Chase Kenter in Franklin’s 11-2 season-opening rout Aug. 12.

Soccer splits w/Highlands, Henderson to open season

Will Woolever

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

The regular season is underway for Panther men’s soccer. After months of offseason workouts and practice, on the week of Aug. 12 Franklin kicked off their regular season with two nonconference matches versus WNC rivals.