Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin’s winter sports state champions are recognized at center-court during a Panther hoops home playoff game Feb. 26. From left are Ken Modlin (track and field), Garrett Young (wrestling) and Jonah Brant (diving).

Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin’s winter sports state champions are recognized at center-court during a Panther hoops home playoff game Feb. 26. From left are Ken Modlin (track and field), Garrett Young (wrestling) and Jonah Brant (diving).

Year of the Panther

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Three athletes have forever etched their names into Panther history. For Jonah Brant, Ken Modlin and Garrett Young, Franklin’s winter sports season was one to remember, culminating with 5A state titles in three different sports.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Lana Walker fires a shot versus Rabun County, Georgia, at Macon Middle School March 3. The freshman has two goals and one assist through just two games.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Lana Walker fires a shot versus Rabun County, Georgia, at Macon Middle School March 3. The freshman has two goals and one assist through just two games.

Girls soccer 2-0, off to best start in years

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Panther girls soccer has turned in their best start to a season in years. On the first week of March they played their first official games, including nonconference fixtures with Swain and Rabun County. With multi-goal wins they kicked off their regular season with a full head of steam.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Kendall Rumans looks a ball in versus Murphy March 4. The senior has four home runs through just Franklin’s first five games.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Kendall Rumans looks a ball in versus Murphy March 4. The senior has four home runs through just Franklin’s first five games.

Softball wins two at home

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Panther softball has earned its first win of the season. After falling in extra innings to Tuscola Feb. 27, on the first week of March they entered the heart of their regular season, playing a jam-packed schedule with four games in four days.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Anderson Terrell corrals a hard-hit ball versus Hayesville March 3. The junior leads the team in hits (5), runs scored (8) and ERA (1.17).

Press photo/Will Woolever - Anderson Terrell corrals a hard-hit ball versus Hayesville March 3. The junior leads the team in hits (5), runs scored (8) and ERA (1.17).

Baseball starts year 3-0

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Panther baseball has started the year red-hot. After routing North Buncombe on opening night, on the first week of March they entered the heart of their regular season, playing two more nonconference games with Erwin and Hayesville.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Brayden Greenwood is mobbed by teammates at home plate after belting a two-run homer in his first-ever high school game.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Brayden Greenwood is mobbed by teammates at home plate after belting a two-run homer in his first-ever high school game.

Baseball routs N. Buncombe on opening night

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Panther baseball has started the year with a blowout win. On Feb. 25, they hosted North Buncombe on McConnell Field for a cold, rainy opening night game. Despite the weather and still without several key players, Franklin triumphed 17-7.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Jackson Wilson attemps a 3-point shot versus Crest on Tom Raby Court Feb. 26.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Jackson Wilson attemps a 3-point shot versus Crest on Tom Raby Court Feb. 26.

Boys hoops fall narrowly to Crest

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Panther men’s hoops season is at an end. Following the Mountain Eight Conference Tournament, on Feb. 26 the team tipped off the 5A state playoffs, hosting Crest (Shelby) on Tom Raby Court. With a six-point loss, Franklin was eliminated from title contention.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Meliah Mason attempts a short jump shot versus Jay M. Robinson on Tom Raby Court Feb. 24.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Meliah Mason attempts a short jump shot versus Jay M. Robinson on Tom Raby Court Feb. 24.

Girls advance to Round 3

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
A strong season is over for Panther women’s hoops.  Four days after the Mountain Eight Conference Final, on the week of Feb. 23 Franklin tipped off the state playoffs, entering the tournament as the 5A West’s 11th seed. With a win over Jay M.
Bristol Brooks attempts a contested shot in the Mountain Eight Conference Final versus Pisgah Feb. 19. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Bristol Brooks attempts a contested shot in the Mountain Eight Conference Final versus Pisgah Feb. 19. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Varsity girls place 2nd in M8 tourney

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Panther girls varsity hoops are Mountain Eight tournament runners-up.  Having routed East Henderson in Round 1 Feb. 13, on the week of Feb. 16 they returned to Smoky Mountain for the conference semifinals and final.
Photo courtesy of Melissa Ward - Amy Mendoza Lopez and Reid Laseter show off their Sportsmanship Awards at the 5A state meet in Winston-Salem Feb. 18, along with Panther head coaches Melissa Ward and Matt Harlfinger.

Photo courtesy of Melissa Ward - Amy Mendoza Lopez and Reid Laseter show off their Sportsmanship Awards at the 5A state meet in Winston-Salem Feb. 18, along with Panther head coaches Melissa Ward and Matt Harlfinger.

Track ends year as 5A state runners-up

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Panther track and field are 5A state runners-up. As two of the state’s best teams throughout the year, on Feb. 18 Franklin’s boys and girls squads both traveled to Winston-Salem for the 5A state meet. With top performances across the track, they returned home with two second-place finishes.
Photo courtesy of Josh Young - Garrett Young battles a wrestler from Havelock in the 5A State Quarterfinals at the Greensboro Complex Feb. 20.

Photo courtesy of Josh Young - Garrett Young battles a wrestler from Havelock in the 5A State Quarterfinals at the Greensboro Complex Feb. 20.

Young wins wrestling state title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Panther wrestling has its first-ever state champion. After advancing out of the 5A West Regionals the previous week, on Feb. 18 Garrett Young and Carrie Holland traveled to Greensboro, where they took part in the 5A State Championships. There Young bested all comers in the 215-lb.