Sports

Then-freshman Devlin Bailey (left) battles a Rabun County wrestler in the heavyweight class last winter. (Press file photo)

Then-freshman Devlin Bailey (left) battles a Rabun County wrestler in the heavyweight class last winter. (Press file photo)

Football players return for wrestling

Will Woolever
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
It was another busy week for Panther wrestling. Having opened the regular season with contests at Swain and Robbinsville, Franklin kept rolling into the week before Thanksgiving, traveling to Cherokee, North Henderson and Towns County, Ga.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Will Rauers elevates for a shot versus Hayesville Nov. 25.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Will Rauers elevates for a shot versus Hayesville Nov. 25.

Basketball readies for season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
The regular season is at hand for Panther hoops. After last year’s strong winter including 20 wins from the boys and a Mountain Seven Conference Tournament title from the girls, both teams have been hard at work preparing for the next campaign.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Macon Early College senior Alyse Remery competes for the Foxes in the 100-yard breaststroke at Franklin Health and Fitness Nov. 22.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Macon Early College senior Alyse Remery competes for the Foxes in the 100-yard breaststroke at Franklin Health and Fitness Nov. 22.

MEC fields first-ever teams

Will Woolever
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Franklin sports fans have a new set of teams to root for. When Macon Early College students were barred from playing for Franklin High School last year, some wondered whether MEC athletes would ever suit up again. More than a year later, they now represent their school in competition.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Macon Early College and Franklin High School swimmers dive off their starting blocks side-by side in the girls 500-yard freestyle at Franklin Health and Fitness Nov. 22. From right are Dalila Canzone (FHS), Alyse Remery (MEC) and Eleanor Kessler (MEC).

Press photo/Will Woolever - Macon Early College and Franklin High School swimmers dive off their starting blocks side-by side in the girls 500-yard freestyle at Franklin Health and Fitness Nov. 22. From right are Dalila Canzone (FHS), Alyse Remery (MEC) and Eleanor Kessler (MEC).

Franklin, MEC swim and dive open season

Will Woolever
Monday, November 24, 2025
Franklin’s high school swim and dive teams’ winter season is underway. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, Franklin High School and Macon Early College prepared for their first contests, with meets at T.C. Roberson, Smoky Mountain and Franklin on the docket.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Track and field eyes state title

Will Woolever
Monday, November 24, 2025
Panther track and field is eyeing the state meet. For the past few winters, Franklin has boasted two of the state’s top teams, earning the 2022 boys 3A title and three straight top-five finishes from the girls.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior captain center/nose guard Mace Waldroop returns a kickoff in Franklin’s third-round state playoff game at Hickory Nov. 21.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior captain center/nose guard Mace Waldroop returns a kickoff in Franklin’s third-round state playoff game at Hickory Nov. 21.

“Fog Bowl” ends stellar year

Will Woolever
Monday, November 24, 2025
A unique season is over for Panther football. Playing their “home” games on the road amid renovations to the Panther Pit, a young Franklin team excelled nevertheless, earning their first playoff win since 2017. In a third-round game at Hickory Nov.
Press file photo - Sophomore Anthony Mora-Martinez keeps the ball away from West Henderson after being called up to the varsity team midway through the year.

Press file photo - Sophomore Anthony Mora-Martinez keeps the ball away from West Henderson after being called up to the varsity team midway through the year.

JV soccer among M8’s top teams

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
It was a good season for Panther JV soccer. In the program’s first year under varsity head coach Bryan Wilkinson, Franklin’s JV team turned over a new leaf, building a roster full of talented freshmen and sophomores.
Photo submitted - Freshman Antonio Hernandez carries the ball in Franklin’s hard-fought 14-6 win at Brevard Sept. 17.

Photo submitted - Freshman Antonio Hernandez carries the ball in Franklin’s hard-fought 14-6 win at Brevard Sept. 17.

JV football ends unique year 8-2

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Panther JV football overcame tough circumstances this year. Amid renovations to the Panther Pit, the team was forced to hit the road, playing their “home” games in Carr Hooper Stadium at Smoky Mountain High School. Despite their nomadic campaign, they turned in their fourth straight winning season.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Quarterback Anderson Terrell targets senior Addix Sutton (right) in Franklin’s second-round playoff win over Forest Hills Nov. 14.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Quarterback Anderson Terrell targets senior Addix Sutton (right) in Franklin’s second-round playoff win over Forest Hills Nov. 14.

Football outlasts Forest Hills

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Panther football is through to the third round of the state playoffs. Having earned a first-round bye by way of an 8-2 record, on Nov. 14 Franklin kicked off their postseason with a second-round game.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Kevin Torres (second from right) celebrates with teammates after scoring in Franklin’s first-round playoff match versus North Buncombe.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Kevin Torres (second from right) celebrates with teammates after scoring in Franklin’s first-round playoff match versus North Buncombe.

Men’s soccer nearly topples #1 South Point

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
A strong season is over for Panther men’s soccer. After ending their regular season with three wins and a tie, on the week of Nov. 3 the team kicked off the 5A state playoffs. With a win over North Buncombe they advanced to a second-round match, where they nearly upset #1 South Point.