Sports

Press Photo/Will Woolever - Senior quarterback Chris McGuire attempts a pass for senior receiver Keagan Pollock against Smoky Mountain Oct. 15. Senior Grant Adams (right) occupies a Mustang defender away from the throw.

Press Photo/Will Woolever - Senior quarterback Chris McGuire attempts a pass for senior receiver Keagan Pollock against Smoky Mountain Oct. 15. Senior Grant Adams (right) occupies a Mustang defender away from the throw.

Panthers lose shootout

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
After falling to Smoky Mountain at home Oct. 15, on Oct. 22 Panther football travelled to West Henderson for their second-to-last game of the regular season. In a 40-34 shootout with the Mountain 7 Conference-rival Falcons, Franklin came just one score short to fall to 5-4 on the season.
Photo courtesy of Franklin Panther Sports Network - Outside hitter Sydney Williams (#24) celebrates with fellow seniors (from left) Corey Burrell, Bethany Jenkins, and Anya Valentine after recording her first point since tearing her ACL this summer.

Photo courtesy of Franklin Panther Sports Network - Outside hitter Sydney Williams (#24) celebrates with fellow seniors (from left) Corey Burrell, Bethany Jenkins, and Anya Valentine after recording her first point since tearing her ACL this summer.

Volleyball prepares for M7 tournament

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Lady Panther volleyball have played their last two matches of the regular season. Against Murphy Oct. 11 and the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Oct. 12, Bekah Brooks’ had one final opportunity to build momentum ahead of the Mountain 7 Conference tournament the following week.
Press Photo/Will Woolever - New Franklin Panthers Athletic Booster Club president Barry Breeden will try to strengthen the club’s finances after last year’s COVID-19 pandemic.

Press Photo/Will Woolever - New Franklin Panthers Athletic Booster Club president Barry Breeden will try to strengthen the club’s finances after last year’s COVID-19 pandemic.

FHS Boosters name new president

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
The Franklin Panthers Athletic Booster Club is under new leadership.
Press Photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Maci Stork attempts a backhand against West Henderson Oct. 9.

Press Photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Maci Stork attempts a backhand against West Henderson Oct. 9.

Tennis readies for M7C tourney

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
FHS women’s tennis is gearing up for its conference tournament. In a final week of regular season matches against Smoky Mountain Oct. 4 and first-place West Henderson Oct.
Press Photo/Will Woolever - Senior tailback/defensive back Kellen Stiles tries to shed a tackle against East Henderson Sept. 17. Stiles earned Wayah Insurance Player of the Game honors against North Henderson with 119 all-purpose yards, two touchdowns, and a fumble recovery.

Press Photo/Will Woolever - Senior tailback/defensive back Kellen Stiles tries to shed a tackle against East Henderson Sept. 17. Stiles earned Wayah Insurance Player of the Game honors against North Henderson with 119 all-purpose yards, two touchdowns, and a fumble recovery.

Panthers bury Knights

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Panther football is back on track after a big win over a conference rival. Ahead of their game Oct. 8 against new Mountain 7 Conference rival North Henderson, the Panthers had lost two straight M7C contests to fall to a conference record of 1-2.
Press Photo/Will Woolever - Tailbacks Brayden Watts (#14) and Ty Handley (#15) throw a block for quarterback Chris McGuire against Tuscola Sept. 24. Handley gained 75 all-purpose yards and a rushing touchdown versus Pisgah.

Press Photo/Will Woolever - Tailbacks Brayden Watts (#14) and Ty Handley (#15) throw a block for quarterback Chris McGuire against Tuscola Sept. 24. Handley gained 75 all-purpose yards and a rushing touchdown versus Pisgah.

Bears rally fells Panthers

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Panther football suffered its second loss of the season following a late surge by Pisgah last Friday. In a Mountain Seven Conference clash between the Panthers and Black Bears Oct. 1, the longtime rivals each entered the contest with 4-1 overall records and M7C title hopes.
Press Photo/Will Woolever - Junior Davis Anders lays a hit on a Tuscola ballcarrier as teammates (from left) Keagan Pollock, Ty Handley and Brayden Watts look on.

Press Photo/Will Woolever - Junior Davis Anders lays a hit on a Tuscola ballcarrier as teammates (from left) Keagan Pollock, Ty Handley and Brayden Watts look on.

Panthers fall to Tuscola

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Panther football has been dealt their first loss of the season. In a Homecoming game matchup with new Mountain Seven Conference rival Tuscola Sept. 24, the 4-0 Panthers welcomed the Mountaineers to the Panther Pit for the teams’ first meeting as M7C foes.
Press Photo/Will Woolever - Senior quarterback Chris McGuire outruns East Henderson defenders in the first quarter of their Sept. 17 blowout win. McGuire would score a 41-yard touchdown on the play.

Press Photo/Will Woolever - Senior quarterback Chris McGuire outruns East Henderson defenders in the first quarter of their Sept. 17 blowout win. McGuire would score a 41-yard touchdown on the play.

Panthers ground Eagles

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Panther football maintained its perfect record with another blowout win last Friday. In a Hall of Fame game matchup with East Henderson at the Panther Pit Sept. 17, Josh Brooks’ team opened its Mountain Seven Conference schedule against a rebuilding Eagle squad.
Press Photo/Will Woolever - Senior wide receiver/defensive back Grant Adams attempts to shed a tackle against Hayesville Aug. 27. Adams was named this week’s Wayah Insurance Player of the Game after catching the game-winning interception against Swain.

Press Photo/Will Woolever - Senior wide receiver/defensive back Grant Adams attempts to shed a tackle against Hayesville Aug. 27. Adams was named this week’s Wayah Insurance Player of the Game after catching the game-winning interception against Swain.

Panthers outlast Swain

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Panther football is a perfect 3-0 to start the season. For its third straight game against Smoky Mountain Conference (1A) opponents before opening its conference schedule Sept. 17 against East Henderson, on Sept.
Press Photo/Will Woolever Sophomore middle hitter Avery Moffitt attempts a kill in Franklin’s 3-0 victory over Tuscola Sept. 1

Press Photo/Will Woolever Sophomore middle hitter Avery Moffitt attempts a kill in Franklin’s 3-0 victory over Tuscola Sept. 1

Wins costly for volleyball

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Lady Panther volleyball has won two of three matches for the second week in a row. After beating Swain County and East Henderson to wrap up their week Aug. 25 and 26, the Panthers spent the last weekend of August preparing for a busy pre-Labor Day week.