A fourth-quarter touchdown by freshman Brayden Watts kept Franklin’s football team from being shut out for the third straight week.
However, that was about the only bright spot in the 44-7 loss Friday at Owen.
The Warhorses (3-2) jumped ahead 31-0 by halftime and 44-0 after three quarters, putting the running clock mercy rule into effect.
The Panthers dropped to 0-6 for the first time in nearly three decades. The last time they were winless after six games was the 1991 season (that team went 0-10).
Sophomore Chris McGuire made his first varsity start at quarterback but struggled completing passes. The lefty finished 2-for-14 for 9 yards. He also threw an interception.
Junior Evan Klatt ran for a team-high 79 yards on 14 carries. Watts, who moved up to varsity in the wake of Seth Price’s injury against Swain County, tallied 56 yards on 10 rushes.
Franklin outrushed Owen 171-143. However, Owen QB Caleb Scott was a difference-maker with his arm. The junior racked up 227 yards and three TDs on only eight completions.
The longest TD went to Geordon Haggins, who hauled in an 87-yard score.
A week after the Panthers suffered their worst loss in 14 seasons under Josh Brooks (47-0 to Mitchell), they suffered their fifth-worst loss.
They’ll have a bye this week before beginning Mountain Six Conference play Oct. 11 at Hendersonville.