Sports

Press file photo - Panther women’s cross country leaves the starting line at the Mountain Eight Conference Championship meet Oct. 14.

Press file photo - Panther women’s cross country leaves the starting line at the Mountain Eight Conference Championship meet Oct. 14.

Girls cross country places 3rd at state

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Panther women’s cross country are the state’s third-fastest 5A team. Having placed third at the 5A West Regional the week before, on Halloween the team traveled to Kernersville for the 5A state meet. With five runners inside the top 50, the team earned a podium finish.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Damion Bowles nears the end zone in Franklin’s regular season-finale win at West Henderson on Halloween.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Damion Bowles nears the end zone in Franklin’s regular season-finale win at West Henderson on Halloween.

Football clinches 1st-round bye

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Panther football will enter the playoffs as one of the 5A West’s best teams. On Halloween, they traveled to West Henderson for their last game of the regular season, taking on the Falcons in a Mountain Eight Conference matchup.
(Photo submitted) Panther women’s cross country is pictured at the 5A West Regional after qualifying for the state meet in Kernersville Nov. 1.

(Photo submitted) Panther women’s cross country is pictured at the 5A West Regional after qualifying for the state meet in Kernersville Nov. 1.

Cross country advances to state

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Panther cross country are state-bound. After the Mountain Eight Conference meet the previous week, on Oct. 25 the team traveled to the Tryon Equestrian Center for the 5A West Regionals. There, nine Panthers including the full girls team punched their tickets to the State Championship meet.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Panther defensive linemen (from left) Liam Daniels, Caiden Berry and Daiveon Hall chase down the Mustang quarterback in Franklin’s 26-8 win over Smoky Mountain Oct. 24.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Panther defensive linemen (from left) Liam Daniels, Caiden Berry and Daiveon Hall chase down the Mustang quarterback in Franklin’s 26-8 win over Smoky Mountain Oct. 24.

Football wins Battle of Cowee

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Panther football’s flag will fly over Cowee Mountain once again.  On Oct. 24, the team traveled to Western Carolina University to play their last “home” game of the regular season, facing rival Smoky Mountain in a Mountain Eight clash.
(Press photo/Will Woolever) Senior Carrie Holland lifts a ball over the net in Franklin’s second-round state playoff game versus Enka on Tom Raby Court.

(Press photo/Will Woolever) Senior Carrie Holland lifts a ball over the net in Franklin’s second-round state playoff game versus Enka on Tom Raby Court.

Volleyball makes history with 27 wins

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
A historic year is at an end for Panther volleyball.  After defeating West Henderson in the Mountain Eight Tournament Final, on the week of Oct. 20 the team dove into the state playoffs.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Abigail Timan (left), Amy Mendoza Lopez (second from left) and Morgan Cress (right) show off their All-Conference plaques after finishing among the top 14 girls in the Mountain Eight Championship meet in Hendersonville Oct. 14.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Abigail Timan (left), Amy Mendoza Lopez (second from left) and Morgan Cress (right) show off their All-Conference plaques after finishing among the top 14 girls in the Mountain Eight Championship meet in Hendersonville Oct. 14.

Girls cross country impresses at M8 meet

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Another conference meet is in the books for Panther cross country. On Tuesday, Oct. 14, the team traveled to Jackson Park in Hendersonville for the Mountain Eight Championship meet.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Olivia Rinker chases after a ball in Franklin’s first-round state playoff match versus East Rowan Oct. 13.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Olivia Rinker chases after a ball in Franklin’s first-round state playoff match versus East Rowan Oct. 13.

Tennis reaches third round of state playoffs

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Panther women’s tennis is deep in the state playoffs for the fifth straight year. After their six top players advanced to regionals as individuals, on the week of Oct. 13 Franklin dove into the dual team state playoffs, hosting East Rowan and traveling to North Lincoln.
Photo submitted - Panther volleyball shows off their Mountain Eight Conference Tournament title plaque after defeating West Henderson on the Falcons’ home floor.

Photo submitted - Panther volleyball shows off their Mountain Eight Conference Tournament title plaque after defeating West Henderson on the Falcons’ home floor.

Volleyball wins M8 tourney

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Panther volleyball are Mountain Eight tournament champs.  Having routed East Henderson in Round 1, on the week of Oct. 13 the team returned to West Henderson for the conference playoff’s last two rounds. With thrilling wins over Brevard and West, Franklin claimed the M8 tournament crown.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore Emma Hatch lifts a ball over the net versus West Henderson Oct. 6.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore Emma Hatch lifts a ball over the net versus West Henderson Oct. 6.

Volleyball advances to M8 semifinal

News Staff
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Panther volleyball is through to the conference semifinals. On the week of Oct. 6 the team transitioned to their postseason, playing their season finale and Round 1 of the Mountain Eight tournament. Despite a loss to West Henderson, a blowout quarterfinal win kept Franklin’s title hopes alive.
Junior Damion Bowles returns a punt versus Tuscola at Western Carolina University Oct. 3. (Press file photo)

Junior Damion Bowles returns a punt versus Tuscola at Western Carolina University Oct. 3. (Press file photo)

Football earns 3rd straight M8C win

News Staff
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Panther football has earned another conference victory. On Friday, Oct. 10, the team traveled to North Henderson, seeking their third straight win in the Mountain Eight.