Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever. Sophomore Bristol Brooks makes a difficult diving save versus Asheville Independent School Aug. 25.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Sophomore Bristol Brooks makes a difficult diving save versus Asheville Independent School Aug. 25.

Volleyball tied for 1st in M8C

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Panther volleyball is tied for first in the Mountain Eight. After routing East Henderson in their first conference match, on the week of Aug. 25 Franklin continued their M8 schedule, traveling to face rivals Brevard and Pisgah.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Sophomore running back Paxton Sutton stiff-arms a defender on the opening kickoff at Robbinsville Aug. 29.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Sophomore running back Paxton Sutton stiff-arms a defender on the opening kickoff at Robbinsville Aug. 29.

Football routs Robbinsville for 1st win

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
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 Ella Raby keeps a ball in play during Franklin’s preseason scrimmager versus Cherokee Aug. 6. (Press file photo)

Sophomore Ella Raby keeps a ball in play during Franklin’s preseason scrimmager versus Cherokee Aug. 6. (Press file photo)

Volleyball earns first M8C win

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Panther volleyball has earned their first conference win. After winning their first two matches of the year at Hayesville and Enka, on the week of Aug. 18 Franklin continued their early-season road trip, traveling to King’s Mountain and to Mountain Eight foe East Henderson.
Press file photo - (From left) Abigail Pope, Mindi Holbrooks and Amy Mendoza Lopez are pictured in Franklin’s season-opening meet at Macon Middle School Aug. 13.

Press file photo - (From left) Abigail Pope, Mindi Holbrooks and Amy Mendoza Lopez are pictured in Franklin’s season-opening meet at Macon Middle School Aug. 13.

Mendoza Lopez wins XC Carnival Invitational

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Panther cross country has started their year with a win. On Saturday, Aug. 23, the team traveled to Jackson Park in Hendersonville for the WNC Carnival, the area’s largest kickoff meet of the season.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore fullback Garrett Young (right) carries the ball versus Murphy in Franklin’s season opener at Western Carolina University Aug. 22. Young racked up 125 yards on 27 attempts against the Bulldogs.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore fullback Garrett Young (right) carries the ball versus Murphy in Franklin’s season opener at Western Carolina University Aug. 22. Young racked up 125 yards on 27 attempts against the Bulldogs.

Football falls to Murphy at WCU

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Panther football has kicked off a unique season. Amid major renovations to the Panther Pit, on Aug. 22 they began their regular season, hosting Murphy at Western Carolina University. In their first of five “home” games scheduled at WCU, Franklin fell 29-16.
Press file photo - Junior Audrey Pressley sends a shot over the net in Franklin’s preseason scrimmage versus Cherokee Aug. 6.

Press file photo - Junior Audrey Pressley sends a shot over the net in Franklin’s preseason scrimmage versus Cherokee Aug. 6.

Volleyball opens year with wins

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Panther volleyball has started their year with a bang. After months of offseason work, on the week of Aug. 11 the team began their regular season, traveling to Hayesville and Enka for nonconference matches.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore Arturo Soto (right) watches his shot sail into the net in Franklin’s home opener versus Highlands Aug. 14.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore Arturo Soto (right) watches his shot sail into the net in Franklin’s home opener versus Highlands Aug. 14.

Men’s soccer earns first win under Wilkinson

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
A new era is underway for Panther men’s soccer. When new head coach Bryan Wilkinson took over this offseason, he brought with him an impressive resume, spanning three decades at the middle, high and college levels.
Panther cross country leaves the starting line in the FHS 2-Miler Aug. 13, the program’s first home meet since completion of the new Macon Middle School track.

Panther cross country leaves the starting line in the FHS 2-Miler Aug. 13, the program’s first home meet since completion of the new Macon Middle School track.

Cross country hosts long-awaited meet

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
It’s been a long time coming for Panther cross country. With their own facilities in disrepair and few other suitable venues nearby, the program has hosted precious few home meets in the past several years. Following completion of the new Macon Middle School track this spring, on Aug.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Anna Stiles makes a difficult diving save in Franklin’s preseason scrimmage versus Cherokee Aug. 6.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Anna Stiles makes a difficult diving save in Franklin’s preseason scrimmage versus Cherokee Aug. 6.

Volleyball scrimmages Cherokee

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
The regular season is at hand for Panther volleyball. On Wednesday, Aug. 6 the program welcomed Cherokee to Macon Middle School, for their final preseason scrimmage ahead of the start of the regular season.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior quarterback Anderson Terrell targets senior running back Addix Sutton in Franklin’s preseason scrimmage at Rabun County Aug. 8.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior quarterback Anderson Terrell targets senior running back Addix Sutton in Franklin’s preseason scrimmage at Rabun County Aug. 8.

Football scrimmages Rabun

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
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.