Sports

Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Franklin is set to tip off the 2019-20 season Saturday at Highlands. Front row, from left: Corey Burrell, Kandice Parker, Nevaeh Tran, Kyndell Burns, Taylor Carlton, Sydney Chapman. Back row: Tory Ensley, Chela Green, Sierra Wade, Canaan Drake, Sydney Williams, Makayala Brewer, Chesnie Berry.

Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Franklin is set to tip off the 2019-20 season Saturday at Highlands. Front row, from left: Corey Burrell, Kandice Parker, Nevaeh Tran, Kyndell Burns, Taylor Carlton, Sydney Chapman. Back row: Tory Ensley, Chela Green, Sierra Wade, Canaan Drake, Sydney Williams, Makayala Brewer, Chesnie Berry.

FHS basketball season preview

Andy Scheidler
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Roster of 13 boasts strong returning group   Andy Scheidler sports@thefranklinpress.com As he prepares for his 11th season at the helm, Franklin girls basketball coach Scott Hartbarger has a luxury he hasn’t previously enjoyed.
Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Franklin’s boys basketball team opens the season Saturday at Highlands. Front row, from left: Isaiah Johns, Eli Gilbert, Trey Woodard, Kellen Stiles, Chad Wilson, Bennett Swafford, Dexter Jennings. Back row: Wyatt Gibson, Brayden Sroka, Bryce Rogers, Chris Hartbarger, Miles McClure, Trey Penland, Griffin Green, Seth Crupi.

Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Franklin’s boys basketball team opens the season Saturday at Highlands. Front row, from left: Isaiah Johns, Eli Gilbert, Trey Woodard, Kellen Stiles, Chad Wilson, Bennett Swafford, Dexter Jennings. Back row: Wyatt Gibson, Brayden Sroka, Bryce Rogers, Chris Hartbarger, Miles McClure, Trey Penland, Griffin Green, Seth Crupi.

FHS hoops season preview

Andy Scheidler
Monday, November 25, 2019
Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Aiden Carpenter (right) locks arms with an Andrews wrestler during Tuesday’s exhibition match at Macon Middle School. Carpenter, a junior, is one of three team captains for Franklin. The Panthers are set to open the season Saturday in a tournament at Swain County.

Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Aiden Carpenter (right) locks arms with an Andrews wrestler during Tuesday’s exhibition match at Macon Middle School. Carpenter, a junior, is one of three team captains for Franklin. The Panthers are set to open the season Saturday in a tournament at Swain County.

Goals in place for Panthers

Andy Scheidler
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Andy Scheidler sports@thefranklinpress.com Kyle Barrington has a staggered list of goals.  The first-year Franklin wrestling coach has already achieved one goal: getting a large team to come out for the sport. The Panthers have 26 team members after finishing last year with less than 10.
Photos submitted Michael Mason celebrated visiting his final NFL team and stadium by posing with some 49ers cheerleaders.

Photos submitted Michael Mason celebrated visiting his final NFL team and stadium by posing with some 49ers cheerleaders.

‘Priceless’ stadium adventure

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Andy Scheidler sports@thefranklinpress.com It all started in 2001 from a commercial.  Michael Mason and Jimmy Pickens were watching football on a Sunday in Franklin when a Mastercard commercial aired.  “Standing room tickets: $14,” an announcer’s voice said over video of Camden Yards.
Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Franklin sophomore Devyn Blackburn tries to make a leaping grab but Smoky’s Dustin Stephens deflects the pass.

Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Franklin sophomore Devyn Blackburn tries to make a leaping grab but Smoky’s Dustin Stephens deflects the pass.

After 1-10 season, Franklin football seeks changes

Andy Scheidler
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Before the final football game at Smoky Mountain, Franklin coach Josh Brooks gave each of the team’s seniors a chance to speak and address their teammates.
Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Ethan Stamey leads his brother Nathan by a few strides during a meet in August at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. The twins finished 11th and 16th at the 2-A NCHSAA Championship this past weekend in Kernersville. Franklin’s boys finished ninth, while girls placed 15th.

Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Ethan Stamey leads his brother Nathan by a few strides during a meet in August at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. The twins finished 11th and 16th at the 2-A NCHSAA Championship this past weekend in Kernersville. Franklin’s boys finished ninth, while girls placed 15th.

FHS boys place 9th at state

Andy Scheidler
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Planning to achieve a peak performance at the precise moment is easier said than done. That’s especially true in the sport of cross-country, where athletes typically run several miles each day for multiple months and the risk of injury always looms.
Photos submitted-Franklin’s cheerleading team featured an entire roster full of newcomers to competing on varsity. The Panthers finished 2nd at a regional pre-state tournament in October. Front row, from left: Abbie Passmore, Belle Reale, Madison Phillips, Katy Nettles, Katilyn Henry, Brielle Perry, Zoe Berkstresser. Back row: coach Bonnie Peggs, Madison Lowe, Sierra Kreis, Mackenzie Hughes, Lylian Foutty, Christa Perry, Kaylan Foutty, Kassidy Mixer, Lexi Hoyt, Michelle Perez, Alivia Gibbs, coach Lynn Baker

Photos submitted-Franklin’s cheerleading team featured an entire roster full of newcomers to competing on varsity. The Panthers finished 2nd at a regional pre-state tournament in October. Front row, from left: Abbie Passmore, Belle Reale, Madison Phillips, Katy Nettles, Katilyn Henry, Brielle Perry, Zoe Berkstresser. Back row: coach Bonnie Peggs, Madison Lowe, Sierra Kreis, Mackenzie Hughes, Lylian Foutty, Christa Perry, Kaylan Foutty, Kassidy Mixer, Lexi Hoyt, Michelle Perez, Alivia Gibbs, coach Lynn Baker

Young cheer squad takes second

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
After a year off, Franklin’s cheerleading team is back to competing.  “We are competing this year because we have a team of athletes who want to work hard, progress and be competitive,” coach Lynn Baker said.
Press photo/Andy Scheidler - After a junior season of scoring five goals, Franklin’s Cris Chavez scored 39 goals this year. His total alone was more than the Panthers scored as a team in 2018.

Press photo/Andy Scheidler - After a junior season of scoring five goals, Franklin’s Cris Chavez scored 39 goals this year. His total alone was more than the Panthers scored as a team in 2018.

Scoring surges for Panthers in 2019

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Goals were hard to come by for Franklin in its state playoff soccer game. However, for the season, scoring was plentiful compared to a year ago.  The Panthers fell 2-0 at Shelby on Oct. 30 in the first round of the 2-A NCHSAA playoffs.
Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Franklin junior Seth Price leaps over a pile of players during last week’s game at Pisgah. It was the junior’s first game action since he broke his collarbone in September.

Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Franklin junior Seth Price leaps over a pile of players during last week’s game at Pisgah. It was the junior’s first game action since he broke his collarbone in September.

Panthers aim to end year with best game

Andy Scheidler
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Andy Scheidler sports@thefranklinpress.com Friday marks the final football game of the season for Franklin, which means it’s the last chance to play a complete game.  The Panthers (1-9, 1-3 Mountain Six Conference) will finish an unusual season at Smoky Mountain (7-3, 3-1 MSC).
Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Alex Torres watches her tee shot on hole No. 12 at The Golf Club at Mill Creek during a home match earlier this season.

Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Alex Torres watches her tee shot on hole No. 12 at The Golf Club at Mill Creek during a home match earlier this season.

Leaving on a good note

Andy Scheidler
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Andy Scheidler sports@thefranklinpress.com Competing at the state golf tournament for the third time, Alex Torres had her best showing yet.  The Franklin senior shot rounds of 95 and 93 at the 1-A/2-A NCHSAA Championship. She finished 39th out of 78 golfers.