Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever - Gabe Harrison (second from left) runs the 100-meter dash at WCU March 6.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Gabe Harrison (second from left) runs the 100-meter dash at WCU March 6.

Track shatters 33-year Record

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Panther track and field continues to rewrite the school record book. On the week after Spring Break the team had a jam-packed schedule, traveling to three meets in just three days. In three competitive meets including the Adidas Indoor Nationals, several Panthers turned in top performances.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Kendall Rumans belts a first-inning RBI double versus Brevard March 24.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Kendall Rumans belts a first-inning RBI double versus Brevard March 24.

Softball wins fifth straight

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Panther softball is on a hot streak. On the week of March 23, they entered the heart of their conference schedule, playing Mountain Eight games with Tuscola and Brevard. In sweeping a two-game series and avenging an earlier loss, Franklin won their fifth straight game.

Young men’s tennis team earns first victory

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Panther men’s tennis has its first win of the year. After the Spring Break holiday, the team returned to action on the week of March 16, traveling to Tuscola and Rabun Gap. With their first win of the year over Tuscola, a young Panther team improved their Mountain Eight Conference record to 1-1.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Braylen Dulicai chips from the first fairway at the Franklin Golf Course March 18. The ball is visible in the lower right.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Braylen Dulicai chips from the first fairway at the Franklin Golf Course March 18. The ball is visible in the lower right.

Golf defeats Smoky Mountain at FGC

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
A strong season continues for Panther men’s golf. After the Spring Break holiday, the team returned to action on the week of March 16, hosting matches at Sky Valley and the Franklin Golf Course.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Taylor Carrion makes contact with a pitch in a freezing St. Patrick’s Day game versus East Henderson.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Taylor Carrion makes contact with a pitch in a freezing St. Patrick’s Day game versus East Henderson.

Softball routs East, wins thriller at Enka

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Panther softball has earned its first conference win. After the Spring Break holiday, the team returned to action on the week of March 16, playing games with East Henderson and Enka. With wins over both including Mountain Eight rival East, they improved their record to 5-2. On St.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Wesley Maxson performs a barbell back squat during a Bigger, Faster, Stronger physical education class at Macon Middle School recently.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Wesley Maxson performs a barbell back squat during a Bigger, Faster, Stronger physical education class at Macon Middle School recently.

BFS finds new home amid high school project

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Despite major renovations to Franklin High School, Panther athletes haven’t wavered. For more than a year some sports have been without a true home, playing and practicing elsewhere as their stadium and weight rooms are rebuilt.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Miguel Ortega elevates for a spike versus A.C. Reynolds March 18.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Miguel Ortega elevates for a spike versus A.C. Reynolds March 18.

Men’s volleyball earns first win

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Franklin High School’s newest team has earned its first win of the year. On the week of March 16, Panther men’s volleyball began just their third regular season, hosting Pisgah and A.C. Reynolds on Tom Raby Court. With a 3-1 win over Reynolds, they ended the week with a full head of steam.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Goalkeeper Carramia Ramos corrals a loose ball versus Polk at Macon Middle School March 20. The senior captain has held Franklin’s opponents to one goal combined, helping earn three wins and a tie.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Goalkeeper Carramia Ramos corrals a loose ball versus Polk at Macon Middle School March 20. The senior captain has held Franklin’s opponents to one goal combined, helping earn three wins and a tie.

Girls soccer off to best start in years

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Panther girls soccer is off to their best start in years. After the Spring Break holiday, the team returned to action on the week of March 16, hosting nonconference matches with Enka and Polk. With a win and a tie, they improved their record to 3-0-1.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Daiveon Hall attempts a layup in the Mountain Eight Conference Men’s JV Final versus Pisgah last month.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Daiveon Hall attempts a layup in the Mountain Eight Conference Men’s JV Final versus Pisgah last month.

JV basketball nearly sweeps Mountain Eight

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
It was a good year for Panther JV hoops. Throughout the Mountain Eight season, Franklin boasted two of the conference’s best teams, winning boys and girls regular-season conference titles.

Smith places 3rd at BCA Worlds

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
A Franklin billiards player is among the nation’s best. For the past four years, Gage Smith has traveled the land in search of its best amateur tournaments. In Las Vegas last month, the 17-year-old earned some of his best finishes yet.