Sports

Photo submitted - Macon Middle School volleyball shows off their fourth-straight championship plaque after defeating Smoky Mountain in the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference Final.

Photo submitted - Macon Middle School volleyball shows off their fourth-straight championship plaque after defeating Smoky Mountain in the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference Final.

MMS volleyball extends dynasty

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Macon Middle School has built a volleyball dynasty. For the past three years the Panthers have controlled the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference, racking up a 48-2 record and three conference titles. With another unbeaten season this fall they entered rarified air.
Photo submitted - Franklin High School sophomore Cooper Rogers shows off his numerous medals at the International Combat Organisation World Championships in Swansea, Wales, last month.

Photo submitted - Franklin High School sophomore Cooper Rogers shows off his numerous medals at the International Combat Organisation World Championships in Swansea, Wales, last month.

Local fighter wins world gold

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
A Franklin native is a martial arts World Champion. Having earned a North American Sport Karate Association title last year, Cooper Rogers has been hard at work in 2025, traversing the globe in search of its most prestigious competitions.
Photo submitted - Franklin native Canyon Woodward crosses the finish line in 13th at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc in Chamonix, France, the world’s most prestigious trail ultramarathon race.

Photo submitted - Franklin native Canyon Woodward crosses the finish line in 13th at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc in Chamonix, France, the world’s most prestigious trail ultramarathon race.

Woodward climbs world trail running ranks

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
A Franklin native is one of the world’s top ultramarathoners. For the past several years Canyon Woodward has traversed the globe in search of its top competitive trail races, running up to 100 miles at a clip over difficult terrain.
Press file photo - Panther women’s cross country leaves the starting line at the Mountain Eight Conference Championship meet Oct. 14.

Press file photo - Panther women’s cross country leaves the starting line at the Mountain Eight Conference Championship meet Oct. 14.

Girls cross country places 3rd at state

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Panther women’s cross country are the state’s third-fastest 5A team. Having placed third at the 5A West Regional the week before, on Halloween the team traveled to Kernersville for the 5A state meet. With five runners inside the top 50, the team earned a podium finish.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Damion Bowles nears the end zone in Franklin’s regular season-finale win at West Henderson on Halloween.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Damion Bowles nears the end zone in Franklin’s regular season-finale win at West Henderson on Halloween.

Football clinches 1st-round bye

Will Woolever
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Panther football will enter the playoffs as one of the 5A West’s best teams. On Halloween, they traveled to West Henderson for their last game of the regular season, taking on the Falcons in a Mountain Eight Conference matchup.
(Photo submitted) Panther women’s cross country is pictured at the 5A West Regional after qualifying for the state meet in Kernersville Nov. 1.

(Photo submitted) Panther women’s cross country is pictured at the 5A West Regional after qualifying for the state meet in Kernersville Nov. 1.

Cross country advances to state

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Panther cross country are state-bound. After the Mountain Eight Conference meet the previous week, on Oct. 25 the team traveled to the Tryon Equestrian Center for the 5A West Regionals. There, nine Panthers including the full girls team punched their tickets to the State Championship meet.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Panther defensive linemen (from left) Liam Daniels, Caiden Berry and Daiveon Hall chase down the Mustang quarterback in Franklin’s 26-8 win over Smoky Mountain Oct. 24.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Panther defensive linemen (from left) Liam Daniels, Caiden Berry and Daiveon Hall chase down the Mustang quarterback in Franklin’s 26-8 win over Smoky Mountain Oct. 24.

Football wins Battle of Cowee

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Panther football’s flag will fly over Cowee Mountain once again.  On Oct. 24, the team traveled to Western Carolina University to play their last “home” game of the regular season, facing rival Smoky Mountain in a Mountain Eight clash.
(Press photo/Will Woolever) Senior Carrie Holland lifts a ball over the net in Franklin’s second-round state playoff game versus Enka on Tom Raby Court.

(Press photo/Will Woolever) Senior Carrie Holland lifts a ball over the net in Franklin’s second-round state playoff game versus Enka on Tom Raby Court.

Volleyball makes history with 27 wins

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
A historic year is at an end for Panther volleyball.  After defeating West Henderson in the Mountain Eight Tournament Final, on the week of Oct. 20 the team dove into the state playoffs.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Abigail Timan (left), Amy Mendoza Lopez (second from left) and Morgan Cress (right) show off their All-Conference plaques after finishing among the top 14 girls in the Mountain Eight Championship meet in Hendersonville Oct. 14.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Abigail Timan (left), Amy Mendoza Lopez (second from left) and Morgan Cress (right) show off their All-Conference plaques after finishing among the top 14 girls in the Mountain Eight Championship meet in Hendersonville Oct. 14.

Girls cross country impresses at M8 meet

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Another conference meet is in the books for Panther cross country. On Tuesday, Oct. 14, the team traveled to Jackson Park in Hendersonville for the Mountain Eight Championship meet.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Olivia Rinker chases after a ball in Franklin’s first-round state playoff match versus East Rowan Oct. 13.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Olivia Rinker chases after a ball in Franklin’s first-round state playoff match versus East Rowan Oct. 13.

Tennis reaches third round of state playoffs

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Panther women’s tennis is deep in the state playoffs for the fifth straight year. After their six top players advanced to regionals as individuals, on the week of Oct. 13 Franklin dove into the dual team state playoffs, hosting East Rowan and traveling to North Lincoln.