Panther football’s year is at an end.
After a strong regular season in which they accrued a 6-3 record, the upstart team earned the #19 seed in the 3A state playoffs. In a first-round matchup at #14 Statesville Nov. 15, Franklin fell 15-13 to end their 2024 campaign.
Both defenses traded stops to start the game, including a tackle for minimal gain from Maveric Waldroop. Later in the same series Daiveon Hall made a third-down tackle, then tipped the ensuing Greyhound punt near midfield.
Franklin’s offense kicked into gear following Hall’s block, driving 67 yards in 13 plays led by Garrett Young and Addix Sutton. On third-and-goal from the Greyhound 3 Anderson Terrell found Brock Bradley in the end zone early in the second quarter.
Statesville answered on their next possession, driving 58 yards in eight plays to the Panther 10. On first-and-goal from the 10 the Greyhound quarterback ran to his right and found the end zone to tie the game.
Franklin’s offense stayed hot on their next drive, getting more key completions from Terrell to Bradley and Braylen Dezarn to move the chains. On fourth-and-3 from Statesville’s 19 Franklin kept their offense on the field, but failed to convert and turned the ball over on downs.
With just one minute left in the half Statesville’s run-heavy offense caught Franklin off-guard, gaining 57 yards through the air in just five quick plays. Senior Talon Smith came up big in the final seconds however, intercepting a Greyhound pass near his own goal line on third-and-19. Both teams remained tied 7-7 at the half.
The Panthers stole another possession from Statesville after the break, when Damion Bowles recovered a beautiful onside kickoff from Will Sinclair. Franklin couldn’t take advantage of their field position however, turning the ball over on downs on the ensuing series.
Statesville answered on their first possession of the half, driving 55 yards in nine plays to the Panther 8. On third-and-5 the Greyhounds seemed to commit a delay of game, but were allowed to run a play after the stadium’s play clock was reset. Statesville then found a receiver in the end zone, and scored again on a 2-point conversion to take a 15-7 lead.
Franklin responded on their next offensive drive, riding more tough runs from Young and Addix Sutton across midfield. On first-and-10 from the Greyhound 13 freshman Paxton Sutton took a handoff to his right, and followed blocks from Waldroop and Anthony Montanez to the end zone. Franklin attempted another run to the right for a 2-point conversion, but were stopped short of the goal line to keep the game at 15-13.
Addix Sutton came up big once again on Statesville’s next drive, intercepting a pass near midfield early in the fourth quarter. Terrell found Dezarn moments later for 31 yards into field goal range, but Franklin missed a 36-yard attempt just short of the goalposts.
Franklin’s defense held firm on Statesville’s next drive, forcing a Greyhound three-and-out with help from a young tackle for loss. Hall capped a spectacular game on special teams three plays later, tipping his second punt of the night to give his offense prime field position.
From their own 45 Franklin drove across midfield once again, facing fourth-and-19 four plays later but moving the chains on a timely pass interference penalty. On second-and-12 from the 15 Franklin attempted a lateral however, which was intercepted by Statesville with less than two minutes to play.
Franklin got the ball back in a hurry moments later, when Statesville fumbled a third-and-1 snap and was forced to punt. Franklin’s offense couldn’t return to field goal range however, turning the ball over on downs in the final seconds.
While the game at Statesville ended in heartbreak, the future looks bright for Panther football, with a deep and talented core of young players returning next year. True to form, head coach Josh Brooks shouldered blame for the loss after the game, but commended his players on their efforts.
“I thought we took a tough enviromnent and handled it very well,” he said. “In sports all you want is a chance, and we had multiple chances; we just came up short. It’s disappointing – I should have put us in a better position to win the game, and I didn’t ... [but] we poured our hearts out.”