Panther football has received its first live “game” action.
On Aug. 8, the team traveled to Rabun County High School for their first preseason scrimmage. After a back-and-forth contest with the Wildcats, Franklin stood just two weeks away from their regular-season opener.
Rabun came out firing to start the game, thwarting the Panthers’ first drive at midfield and completing a 31-yard touchdown pass. Franklin answered on their second possession, capping an eight-play, 65-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown run from quarterback Anderson Terrell.
Both defenses traded stops to start the second quarter, highlighted by a forced fumble from Paxton Sutton on fourth-and-8 from the Panther 30. Rabun responded on their next possession, driving more than 60 yards for another score. In the half’s final seconds Rabun heaved a Hail Mary into the end zone, but Lance Parker batted it down to keep the score at 14-7.
Both team’s starters stayed on the field after the break, with Rabun mounting the first drive of the second half. Just two plays in Parker tipped another Wildcat pass, which Addix Sutton caught and returned more than 30 yards for a score. Moments later Paxton Sutton forced another fumble, which Preston Douglas recovered for Franklin’s second-straight turnover.
False start penalties hindered the Panthers’ next possession, which helped give Rabun strong field position at their own 39. From there the Wildcats mounted a steady drive and converted a short field goal to take the lead 17-14. Rabun protected their lead to the end of the third quarter.
Both schools’ JV teams took the field for the fourth, and agreed to reset the scoreboard and play the quarter without special teams. Franklin’s defensive backfield held firm on Rabun’s first drive, providing tight coverage in back-to-back plays on third and fourth downs.
From there Franklin’s offense took over inside their own 20, and mounted an impressive 10-play touchdown drive. With both teams’ special teams units done for the night, the Panthers forwent the extra point for a 6-0 lead.
Once again Franklin’s defense stopped Rabun’s next drive on third and fourth downs, posting back-to-back sacks to retake possession. With strong field position at their own 46, the Panthers stayed hot to double their lead as time expired.
Upon returning home from Clayton, the Panthers prepared for their second and final preseason scrimmage, planning a trip to Asheville School Aug. 15. They’ll kick off their regular season Aug. 22 versus Murphy in E.J. Whitmire Stadium at Western Carolina University.