The 2025-26 season is at hand.
Ahead of their first official contests Aug. 11, Franklin’s fall sports teams have been hard at work in preparation, training, practicing and scrimmaging other teams throughout the summer. Below, The Press will preview the upcoming seasons of these five teams, listed in alphabetical order.
Cross Country
With several veteran returners including two participants from last year’s state meet, Panther women’s cross country should have plenty of talent this fall.
Led by junior Morgan Cress and senior Amy Mendoza Lopez, who placed 22nd and 45th, respectively, in Kernersville last fall, the team also brings back experienced runners in Abigail Pope, Breanna Pendergrass, Mindi Holbrooks and others.
On the boys side Franklin will sport a new-look team this year, after losing their top three runners to graduation this summer. Led by junior Ken Modlin and sophomore Evan Pyles, the team also boasts a large group of up-and-comers following extensive recruiting efforts by head coach Melissa Ward.
After placing second and fourth, respectively, at last year’s Mountain Seven Conference meet, Franklin’s girls and boys teams should face an even tougher road this year, with the addition of powerhouse Brevard. Last fall the Blue Devil men won their third 2A state title in four years, placing two runners among the classification’s top five. They’ll join Franklin in the new 5A Mountain Eight Conference following the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s realignment earlier this year.
Football
Following a disappointing 2023, Panther football turned over a new leaf last fall, riding a young, talented roster to wins in their first six games and a return to the 3A state playoffs. This year Franklin hopes to continue that momentum with another year of experience under their belts.
On offense Franklin is led by junior quarterback Anderson Terrell, who racked up 1,156 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore. On the outside Terrell should have trusty veteran targets in Brock Bradley, Lance Parker, Damion Bowles, Payton King and others.
In the backfield Franklin should boast a potent 1-2 punch in sophomore Garrett Young and senior team captain Addix Sutton, who will run behind veteran offensive linemen like Mace Waldroop and Anthony Montanez.
On defense Young and Sutton should spearhead an excellent linebacking corps, having finished first and second on the team, respectively, in tackles last year (62 and 46).
Men’s Soccer
With a young roster and a new head coach in Bryan Wilkinson, Panther men’s soccer remains something of an enigma.
Having led Macon Middle School to an unbeaten season last fall, Wilkinson brings a wealth of experience to the varsity team, including three decades of coaching at the middle, high and college levels. With powerhouse teams on the schedule like Rabun Gap, Asheville, A.C. Reynolds and Enka, the longtime manager seems to be uninterested in giving his team an easy go.
Having led the team with 13 goals as a sophomore, junior Kevin Torres should spearhead Franklin’s offense once again, by way of his blazing speed and talent for shooting from distance. On defense the Panthers are led by three juniors coming off strong sophomore seasons, including goalkeeper Ken Modlin and defenders Cameron Lyons and Malik Walker. In midfield Franklin must replace a trio of former All-Conference seniors in Miguel Cruz, Graham Caldwell and Josiah Mascorro.
Volleyball
Having lost four All-Conference seniors and another Honorable Mention, Panther volleyball will have a new-look roster this fall.
Coming off a sensational freshman year, setter Bristol Brooks should lead Franklin’s back line as the team’s only returning All-Conference selection, having finished fourth conference-wide in assists (308) and eighth in aces (30) last year. Junior Shelby Adams should join Brooks as an excellent duo at setter, with seniors Maggie Shields and Sara Crupi at defensive specialist.
At the net several talented hitters should return for Franklin, led by Carrie Holland, Danni Ledford, Ella Raby and Finley Moffitt. Having been pressed into service after an injury to Cali Queen last fall, the young front-row players kept the Panthers from skipping a beat, helping the team to an 18-3 regular season and a second-place finish in the Mountain Seven. Their only conference losses came to eventual 3A State Champions West Henderson.
Women’s Tennis
Coming off the greatest period of success in program history, Panther women’s tennis should also have a new-look roster this fall.
Over the past four years Franklin has been one of 3A’s top teams, racking up four third-round state playoff berths, two trips to the state semifinals, two 3A West Doubles titles, two 14-0 regular seasons, three straight unbeaten seasons in the Mountain Seven and a 51-3 regular season record. Having lost their top four players – Kate Phillips, Abigail Angel, Maci Stork and Caroline Deal – to graduation however, a new group of players will attempt to extend Franklin’s streak, led by last year’s Nos. 5 and 6 players Clara Stork and Marlee Barnes. At the Mountain Seven Conference Tournament both players won their first-round singles matches, with Stork advancing to the semifinals to qualify for the 3A West Championships.