Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever - Panther players signal for a touchdown on a second-and-goal run by Gabe Nickerson in the fourth quarter of Franklin’s 31-14 win over Tuscola.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Panther players signal for a touchdown on a second-and-goal run by Gabe Nickerson in the fourth quarter of Franklin’s 31-14 win over Tuscola.

Football wins second straight

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Panther football has earned a signature win. After besting East Henderson on Homecoming, Franklin geared up for a tougher test, hosting Tuscola Sept. 22 in their second Mountain Seven game.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin’s male distance runnners leave the starting line at Kituwah Sept. 16.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin’s male distance runnners leave the starting line at Kituwah Sept. 16.

Cross country among top finishers in Swain County

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Panther cross country is rounding into midseason form. After getting an early look at the state championship course at the Friday Night Lights meet in Kernersville Sept. 8, this past weekend Melissa Ward’s team geared up for a meet much closer to home.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Miguel Cruz tries to evade an East Henderson defender Sept. 11.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Miguel Cruz tries to evade an East Henderson defender Sept. 11.

Soccer bests East, Tuscola

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Panther men’s soccer opened their conference schedule with two big wins. After a month of fine-tuning against other regional opponents, on the week of Sept. 11 Franklin played their most important matches to date.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Kate Phillips attempts a groundstroke in a recent match.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Kate Phillips attempts a groundstroke in a recent match.

Tennis routs West, remains unbeaten at 7-0

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Seven matches in, Panther women’s tennis remains unbeaten. Following three straight matches after Labor Day, Heather Bell’s team had just one the next week, traveling to West Henderson for a Mountain Seven Conference clash.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Kyrah Bowles receives an attack against Hayesville Sept. 11.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Kyrah Bowles receives an attack against Hayesville Sept. 11.

Volleyball picks up first loss, ties for 1st

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
It’s been a busy week for Panther volleyball. After winning their first nine matches of the season, on the week of Sept. 11 Franklin faced their toughest test yet. On Sept. 11, the Panthers welcomed Hayesville to Tom Raby Court for the two teams’ second meeting of the season.
Photo courtesy of Tom Pantaleo - A gang of Panthers brings down an Eagle ball carrier at the Panther Pit Sept. 16.

Photo courtesy of Tom Pantaleo - A gang of Panthers brings down an Eagle ball carrier at the Panther Pit Sept. 16.

Football routs East Henderson

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Panther football is in the win column. After a tough first three games of the season, on Sept. 15 Franklin returned to the Panther Pit for a Homecoming matchup with East Henderson.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior defender Jaydon Pevia battles for possession in a recent match at the Panther Pit.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior defender Jaydon Pevia battles for possession in a recent match at the Panther Pit.

Soccer falls to top-notch Opponents

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
It’s been a tough week for Panther men’s soccer. Having blown out Highlands and Blue Ridge Early College their last two weeks, Franklin’s schedule turned much more difficult after Labor Day, with matches against Rabun Gap-Nacoochee and Asheville.
Photo courtesy of Melissa Ward - Junior Cooper Tyler crosses the finish line at the Friday Night Lights Cross Country Festival Sept. 8.

Photo courtesy of Melissa Ward - Junior Cooper Tyler crosses the finish line at the Friday Night Lights Cross Country Festival Sept. 8.

Cross country scopes out state course in Kernersville

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
For the first and hopefully not the last time, Panther cross country has scoped out the 3A state championship course. After opening the season at Rabun Gap Aug. 31, on Sept.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Kate Phillips attempts a groundstroke in a recent match at the Macon County Rec Park.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Kate Phillips attempts a groundstroke in a recent match at the Macon County Rec Park.

Tennis remains unbeaten at 6-0

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Six contests in, Panther women’s tennis is a perfect 6-0. After 9-0 wins in their first match with Tuscola and an Aug. 31 double-header with East Henderson, Heather Bell’s team entered their third week of the season having won all 27 of their individual matches.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Outside/opposite Hitters Aubrey Haley (left) and Talley Kinsland attempt a block versus Smoky Mountain Sept. 7.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Outside/opposite Hitters Aubrey Haley (left) and Talley Kinsland attempt a block versus Smoky Mountain Sept. 7.

Good times roll for volleyball

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
The good times keep rolling for Panther volleyball. After winning their first seven matches of the season, on the week of Sept. 5 Franklin faced their toughest test yet, with a trip to North Henderson and a home date with Smoky Mountain.