Panthers finish third
in conference standings, ready for state playoffs
Andy Scheidler
sports@thefranklinpress.com
The progression through a season is similar to writing a book. Each game is an opportunity to write a new chapter.
Franklin soccer coach Matt Kolodzik has used that metaphor with his squad in his second season at the helm.
“We’ve talked all year about writing a book on the season,” Kolodzik said. “Each time we accomplished something we didn’t last year, it was like closing a chapter of the book we’ve been writing.”
One significant chapter got closed last week when FHS beat Pisgah. The Black Bears were the reason the Panthers didn’t make the playoffs last year (based on a tiebreaker rule that supersedes MaxPreps rankings).
Franklin beat Pisgah twice this season, including 3-0 at home Oct. 28. The other win against the Black Bears was an 8-0 blowout.
“We swept them and scored 11 goals,” Kolodzik said. “We combined to hold them to none, which was most impressive to me, having that clean sheet.”
Cris Chavez, Sebastian Hernandez and Erick Munoz each netted a goal. Munoz, Enrique Argueta and Luis Gutierrez each recorded an assist.
Goalkeeper Isaac Jennings stopped six shots in 70 minutes. Joseph Vernelson made one save in 10 minutes.
The Panthers wrapped up the regular season Oct. 29 against Smoky Mountain. A huge crowd at Macon Middle School witnessed a thrilling game. It was tied 1-1 after a pair of five-minute overtime periods.
The Mustangs won 4-2 in a shootout to take it and earn revenge.
Smoky won the Mountain Six Conference title with a 9-1 record. The only blemish came at the hands of the Panthers in Sylva.
Kolodzik praised his players for their play against the Mustangs, including being the only team to beat them and nearly doing so again.
FHS scored a goal in regulation that got waved off, which would’ve put the Panthers ahead 2-1.
Smoky goalkeeper Zeb Sink stepped up in the shootout and stopped two of Franklin’s shots.
Jennings, who’s a sophomore made 13 saves in regular time.
“He’s really come along the last two to three weeks,” Kolodzik said. “He been very impressive with the work he’s put in and the saves he’s had. He kept us in the game with the shots he blocked.
“Smoky hit all four PKs. Sometimes experience catches you. But we wouldn’t have been in that situation without (Jennings’) saves.”
Chavez scored Franklin’s only goal, coming on an assist from Argueta. It was his 39th goal of the season, which is the most since Kevin Sanchez netted 37 in 2016.
Kurt Lehnert owns the school record for goals in a season with 48 in 1986.
Chavez ranks tied for 36th in the nation in goals scored based on teams that submit totals on MaxPreps. He leads the conference and ranks tied for 12th in the state.
Chavez is one of nine seniors who were recognized before the Smoky game. Other seniors include Gutierrez, Agrueta, Jacob Kolodzik, Juan Gomez, Eri Rios, Alan Esquivel, Chris Ensley and Josh Riddle.
FHS (12-9) finished third in the conference with a 6-4 mark. Smoky went 9-1 to win it, followed by Hendersonville at 7-3.
East Henderson also finished 6-4 to tie FHS. The teams split in head-to-head matchups.
“We were the only team to beat Smoky and take them to PKs,” Kolodzik said. “That speaks pretty highly where our team is truly at with our level.”
Kolodzik hopes the Panthers bring that high level of play into the 2-A NCSHAA playoffs. The first round begins Wednesday against ??
It will be the last chance to write another chapter and add another improvement from a season ago.
Kolodzik witnessed the heart of the Panthers after their loss to the Mustangs, seeing emotional players and teammates picking each other up.
“Even though we didn’t obtain our goal of winning conference or beating Smoky twice, they understand bigger things are ahead of us. I really believe the way we responded will help jump us forward in the tournament. I’m excited to see what we can do,” Kolodzik said.
“Regardless of the opponent, if we play our style and take care of the big things, I’d put them up against any team in the state. I feel that confident right now, and I know they do too.”