Sports

Photo courtesy of Melissa Ward - Junior Cooper Tyler crosses the finish line at the Friday Night Lights Cross Country Festival Sept. 8.

Photo courtesy of Melissa Ward - Junior Cooper Tyler crosses the finish line at the Friday Night Lights Cross Country Festival Sept. 8.

Cross country scopes out state course in Kernersville

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
For the first and hopefully not the last time, Panther cross country has scoped out the 3A state championship course. After opening the season at Rabun Gap Aug. 31, on Sept.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Kate Phillips attempts a groundstroke in a recent match at the Macon County Rec Park.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Kate Phillips attempts a groundstroke in a recent match at the Macon County Rec Park.

Tennis remains unbeaten at 6-0

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Six contests in, Panther women’s tennis is a perfect 6-0. After 9-0 wins in their first match with Tuscola and an Aug. 31 double-header with East Henderson, Heather Bell’s team entered their third week of the season having won all 27 of their individual matches.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Outside/opposite Hitters Aubrey Haley (left) and Talley Kinsland attempt a block versus Smoky Mountain Sept. 7.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Outside/opposite Hitters Aubrey Haley (left) and Talley Kinsland attempt a block versus Smoky Mountain Sept. 7.

Good times roll for volleyball

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
The good times keep rolling for Panther volleyball. After winning their first seven matches of the season, on the week of Sept. 5 Franklin faced their toughest test yet, with a trip to North Henderson and a home date with Smoky Mountain.
Photo courtesy of World’s Strongest Man/Todd Burandt. Franklin native Thomas Evans hurls a roughly 50-lb. kettlebell at this summer’s World’s Strongest Man competition in Myrtle Beach.

Photo courtesy of World’s Strongest Man/Todd Burandt. Franklin native Thomas Evans hurls a roughly 50-lb. kettlebell at this summer’s World’s Strongest Man competition in Myrtle Beach.

Evans enters highest level of competitive strongmen

News Staff
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
A Franklin native is continuing his climb to the top of the competitive strongman rankings. For the past several years, FHS grad and former NFL player Thomas Evans has been honing a new skill, traveling the country to compete in feats of near-impossible strength.
Press photo/Will Woolever Junior outside/opposite hitter Cali Queen sets a ball versus Tuscola Aug. 29 on Tom Raby Court.

Press photo/Will Woolever Junior outside/opposite hitter Cali Queen sets a ball versus Tuscola Aug. 29 on Tom Raby Court.

Volleyball still unbeaten at 7-0

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Seven matches into the season, Panther volleyball remains undefeated. After losing just one set through their first five matches, on the week of Aug. 28 Franklin faced two Mountain Seven Conference opponents, hosting Tuscola on Tom Raby Court and traveling to Pisgah to take on the Black Bears.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Junior defensive back Braylon Dezarn intercepts a Swain deep pass near midfield in the second quarter.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Junior defensive back Braylon Dezarn intercepts a Swain deep pass near midfield in the second quarter.

Panthers fall to Swain’s Maroon Devils

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Panther football remains winless.  After falling to Murphy and Robbinsville in their first two games of the season, on Sept. 1 Josh Brooks’ team traveled to Swain for a nonconference clash. Despite a strong first half and more production on offense, Franklin fell to the Maroon Devils 40-13.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Ulises Padron-Perez (left) puts a BREC defender on skates Aug. 21.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Ulises Padron-Perez (left) puts a BREC defender on skates Aug. 21.

Soccer destroys BREC, Highlands

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
It’s been a good week for Panther men’s soccer. After dropping their first match of the season 5-1 to Enka, on the week of Aug. 21 Franklin had a chance to build some momentum.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior setter/right side hitter Emma Ledford makes a diving save against East Henderson Aug. 24.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior setter/right side hitter Emma Ledford makes a diving save against East Henderson Aug. 24.

Volleyball starts 5-0, earns 1st M7C win

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
It’s five down, 15 to go for Panther volleyball. After starting their season with three straight wins, on the week of Aug. 21 Franklin sought to keep their streak alive with matches versus Hayesville and East Henderson.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Josh McGaha hits Robbinsville quarterback Donovan Carpenter as he throws.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Josh McGaha hits Robbinsville quarterback Donovan Carpenter as he throws.

Football falls to Robbinsville

News Staff
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Panther football remains winless after two games. After a tough season-opening loss to Murphy, on Aug. 25 Josh Brooks’ team traveled to Robbinsville for a Week 2 clash with the Black Knights.