Panther football is in the win column.
After a disappointing loss to Murphy to start the season, on Aug. 29 the team traveled to Robbinsville for Week 2. In routing the Black Knights 28-7, Franklin improved their record to 1-1.
Sophomore Paxton Sutton gave the Panthers an early spark, reversing fields for a 22-yard return on the opening kickoff. With strong field position at their own 46, Franklin drove 36 yards on the next nine plays including six runs from Garrett Young. Facing fourth-and-10 from the Black Knight 20, quarterback Anderson Terrell rolled to his right and found tight end Brock Bradley in the end zone.
Franklin’s defense matched their offense moments later, forcing a three-and-out on Robbinsville’s first possession. Upon taking over at their own 39, the Panthers mounted another good-looking drive, marching 52 yards in the next nine plays including a 25-yard completion to Gabe Harrison and a fourth-and-2 conversion from Young. On second-and-goal from the 3 Young ran up the middle again and scored in the final minute of the first quarter.
Franklin’s defense held firm on the Knights’ next drive, getting tackles for loss from Aiden Pitts and Daiveon Hall. On second-and-22 from the Knight 18, juniors Cayson McAllister and Liam Daniels sacked Robbinsville’s quarterback for a 13-yard loss.
The Knights punted back to Franklin two plays later, who again took over near midfield. From there Terrell led a seven-play, 51-yard drive, finding Addix Sutton for 29 yards on its first play from scrimmage and Bradley for a key third-and-3 conversion from the 16. On fourth-and-goal from the 1 Terrell scored on a quarterback sneak to give his team a 21-0 lead. Both defenses traded stops through the last four minutes of the half.
Robbinsville’s offense fell flat again after the break, committing a false start on fourth-and-1 from their own 38. In punt formation on fourth-and-6 however, the Black Knights snapped the ball to their upback, who found a receiver for a 27-yard gain. From there the Knights seemed to gain a second wind, driving the last 40 yards in six plays (aided by two Panther facemask penalties) to cut their deficit to 21-7.
Robbinsville’s offense kept rolling on their next drive, marching 69 yards on nine straight runs to the Panther 1. On first-and-goal however, the Knights fumbled the snap and kicked the ball into the end zone accidentally, where it was recovered by junior Lance Parker for a touchback.
From there the Panthers mounted another steady drive, marching 42 yards on the next nine plays including a third-and-13 conversion by Paxton Sutton. On third-and-9 from the 38 Terrell made the throw of the game, evading defenders and finding Harrison in the end zone with a beautiful 40-yard pass through tight coverage. Up 28-7 with 8:35 to play, the Panthers defended their lead until the horn.
“It feels great. We bounced back from a game that we thought we should have won last week,” said Addix Sutton after the game. “[It was a] tough loss, and I think everybody [had] seen we didn’t lose to that team by two touchdowns last week – we truly didn’t. We gave it up in the fourth quarter, but we came out and prepared great this week. We prepared like we won last week, so it was good.”
“I saw a great fight – a great bounce-back,” said head coach Josh Brooks. “We had great practice all week, and the attitude was unbelievable. This is not an easy place to play or win, and this was a big win for us. We just did what we had to do tonight, and made the plays.”
Having led Murphy 16-7 only to lose 29-16 in the ir previous game, Week 2 provided a clean slate for the Panthers, who seemed to take out their frustration on the Knights. In navigating a wild, back-and-forth third quarter, Brooks credited his team for staying the course.
“They got all the momentum to start the second half, and our defense found a way to [recover] a fumble down there on the goal line, and then we made a big play there to Harrison on the touchdown pass,” he said. “Anderson Terrell just played outstanding tonight, and really bounced back. I said it – I love this team, I love their attitude, they never wavered at practice last week, it was tremendous. I knew we were going to play great tonight, and I’m just glad we were able to carry what we did in practice to the field – it was a great win for us.”
After routing Robbinsville, Franklin prepared for their last nonconference game to start the season, planning a trip to Swain County Sept. 5. The Panthers will kick off their Mountain Eight Conference schedule at Western Carolina University versus East Henderson Sept. 11.