Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever - Panther cheer and dance is pictured at a football playoff game at Statesville Nov. 15.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Panther cheer and dance is pictured at a football playoff game at Statesville Nov. 15.

Cheer earns 3rd straight Nationals bid

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Panther cheer and dance is nationals-bound for the third straight year. For the past several months Lynn Baker’s team has been hard at work, leading cheers at Panther home games and preparing routines for competition.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Addix Sutton finds room to run at Statesville Nov. 15.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Addix Sutton finds room to run at Statesville Nov. 15.

Football falls to Statesville

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Panther football’s year is at an end. After a strong regular season in which they accrued a 6-3 record, the upstart team earned the #19 seed in the 3A state playoffs. In a first-round matchup at #14 Statesville Nov. 15, Franklin fell 15-13 to end their 2024 campaign.
Picture 1 - Press photo/Will Woolever

Picture 1 - Press photo/Will Woolever

Powderpuff raises $2,000+ for FHS junior

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
A Franklin High student can write off thousands of dollars in expenses, thanks to the school’s seventh annual Powderpuff football night. On Nov. 5, the school’s female athletes renewed a tradition unlike any other, pitting grade level against grade level in a flag football tournament.
Franklin’s top three distance runners are pictured at the 3A State Championship Meet in Kernersville Nov. 2. From left are sophomore Morgan Cress, senior Matheson Post and junior Amy Mendoza Lopez. (Photo courtesy of Melissa Ward)

Franklin’s top three distance runners are pictured at the 3A State Championship Meet in Kernersville Nov. 2. From left are sophomore Morgan Cress, senior Matheson Post and junior Amy Mendoza Lopez. (Photo courtesy of Melissa Ward)

Cross Country ends year at state

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Panther cross country has defied all expectations. At the 3A state meet in Kernersville Nov. 2, Franklin’s top three runners weren’t projected to light up the leaderboard, entering the meet ranked 60th, 88th and 150th.
Press photo/Will Woolever - A gang of Panthers tackles a Smoky Mountain ball carrier Nov. 8. From left (wearing white) are Braydon Hervey, Addix Sutton and Talon Smith.

Press photo/Will Woolever - A gang of Panthers tackles a Smoky Mountain ball carrier Nov. 8. From left (wearing white) are Braydon Hervey, Addix Sutton and Talon Smith.

Football falls to Mustangs

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Panther football is through to the 3A state playoffs. On Friday, Nov. 8, the Panthers traveled to Sylva for their last game of the regular season, a Mountain Seven Conference clash with Smoky Mountain.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Swiss army knife Paxton Sutton stiffarms a Tuscola defender at the Panther Pit Oct. 28.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Swiss army knife Paxton Sutton stiffarms a Tuscola defender at the Panther Pit Oct. 28.

JV football eyes 3rd straight winning season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Another successful season is nearly over for Panther JV football. In just his second season as JV head coach, FHS graduate Landon Potter has had his work cut out for him, in everything from instilling his own culture to missing time due to Hurricane Helene.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Cross country sends 3 to state

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Franklin’s top distance runners are through to the state meet. After strong showings at the Mountain Seven Conference meet, on Oct. 26 Panther cross country traveled to Salisbury for the 3A West Regional.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Former Panther athletes and their families are pictured in a halftime ceremony at the Panther Pit’s final regular-season game Nov. 1.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Former Panther athletes and their families are pictured in a halftime ceremony at the Panther Pit’s final regular-season game Nov. 1.

Panther Pit receives send-off

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
After 75 years, the Panther Pit has seen its last regular-season game. Ahead of major renovations planned for immediately following the season, Friday, Nov. 1, was a unique night in the stadium’s history, with generations of Panther fans gathering to give it a proper send-off.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior defender Alex Trivett fights for possession versus Smoky Mountain at the Panther Pit Oct. 23.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior defender Alex Trivett fights for possession versus Smoky Mountain at the Panther Pit Oct. 23.

Soccer stays in playoff field with comeback win

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Panther men’s soccer is keeping their state playoff hopes alive. In the midst of a difficult schedule Franklin’s young team has had its ups and downs, entering their last five regular season matches needing a strong finish.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore quarterback Anderson Terrell takes a hit but delivers the throw versus West Henderson Oct. 25.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore quarterback Anderson Terrell takes a hit but delivers the throw versus West Henderson Oct. 25.

Football suffers first loss

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Panther football has suffered its first loss of the season. Having won their first six games convincingly, on Oct. 25 Franklin hosted West Henderson for their toughest test yet.