Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever. Braylen Dulicai chips from the first fairway at the Franklin Golf Course March 18. The ball is visible in the lower right.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Braylen Dulicai chips from the first fairway at the Franklin Golf Course March 18. The ball is visible in the lower right.

Golf defeats Smoky Mountain at FGC

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
A strong season continues for Panther men’s golf. After the Spring Break holiday, the team returned to action on the week of March 16, hosting matches at Sky Valley and the Franklin Golf Course.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Taylor Carrion makes contact with a pitch in a freezing St. Patrick’s Day game versus East Henderson.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Taylor Carrion makes contact with a pitch in a freezing St. Patrick’s Day game versus East Henderson.

Softball routs East, wins thriller at Enka

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Panther softball has earned its first conference win. After the Spring Break holiday, the team returned to action on the week of March 16, playing games with East Henderson and Enka. With wins over both including Mountain Eight rival East, they improved their record to 5-2. On St.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Wesley Maxson performs a barbell back squat during a Bigger, Faster, Stronger physical education class at Macon Middle School recently.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Wesley Maxson performs a barbell back squat during a Bigger, Faster, Stronger physical education class at Macon Middle School recently.

BFS finds new home amid high school project

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Despite major renovations to Franklin High School, Panther athletes haven’t wavered. For more than a year some sports have been without a true home, playing and practicing elsewhere as their stadium and weight rooms are rebuilt.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Miguel Ortega elevates for a spike versus A.C. Reynolds March 18.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Miguel Ortega elevates for a spike versus A.C. Reynolds March 18.

Men’s volleyball earns first win

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Franklin High School’s newest team has earned its first win of the year. On the week of March 16, Panther men’s volleyball began just their third regular season, hosting Pisgah and A.C. Reynolds on Tom Raby Court. With a 3-1 win over Reynolds, they ended the week with a full head of steam.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Goalkeeper Carramia Ramos corrals a loose ball versus Polk at Macon Middle School March 20. The senior captain has held Franklin’s opponents to one goal combined, helping earn three wins and a tie.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Goalkeeper Carramia Ramos corrals a loose ball versus Polk at Macon Middle School March 20. The senior captain has held Franklin’s opponents to one goal combined, helping earn three wins and a tie.

Girls soccer off to best start in years

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Panther girls soccer is off to their best start in years. After the Spring Break holiday, the team returned to action on the week of March 16, hosting nonconference matches with Enka and Polk. With a win and a tie, they improved their record to 3-0-1.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Daiveon Hall attempts a layup in the Mountain Eight Conference Men’s JV Final versus Pisgah last month.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Daiveon Hall attempts a layup in the Mountain Eight Conference Men’s JV Final versus Pisgah last month.

JV basketball nearly sweeps Mountain Eight

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
It was a good year for Panther JV hoops. Throughout the Mountain Eight season, Franklin boasted two of the conference’s best teams, winning boys and girls regular-season conference titles.

Smith places 3rd at BCA Worlds

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
A Franklin billiards player is among the nation’s best. For the past four years, Gage Smith has traveled the land in search of its best amateur tournaments. In Las Vegas last month, the 17-year-old earned some of his best finishes yet.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin’s winter sports state champions are recognized at center-court during a Panther hoops home playoff game Feb. 26. From left are Ken Modlin (track and field), Garrett Young (wrestling) and Jonah Brant (diving).

Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin’s winter sports state champions are recognized at center-court during a Panther hoops home playoff game Feb. 26. From left are Ken Modlin (track and field), Garrett Young (wrestling) and Jonah Brant (diving).

Year of the Panther

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Three athletes have forever etched their names into Panther history. For Jonah Brant, Ken Modlin and Garrett Young, Franklin’s winter sports season was one to remember, culminating with 5A state titles in three different sports.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Lana Walker fires a shot versus Rabun County, Georgia, at Macon Middle School March 3. The freshman has two goals and one assist through just two games.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Lana Walker fires a shot versus Rabun County, Georgia, at Macon Middle School March 3. The freshman has two goals and one assist through just two games.

Girls soccer 2-0, off to best start in years

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Panther girls soccer has turned in their best start to a season in years. On the first week of March they played their first official games, including nonconference fixtures with Swain and Rabun County. With multi-goal wins they kicked off their regular season with a full head of steam.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Kendall Rumans looks a ball in versus Murphy March 4. The senior has four home runs through just Franklin’s first five games.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Kendall Rumans looks a ball in versus Murphy March 4. The senior has four home runs through just Franklin’s first five games.

Softball wins two at home

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Panther softball has earned its first win of the season. After falling in extra innings to Tuscola Feb. 27, on the first week of March they entered the heart of their regular season, playing a jam-packed schedule with four games in four days.