Sports

Senior Kallie Thrift helped lead the Lady Lions to a Senior Night win over a tough Oglethorpe County team Thursday in the Lion’s Den. (Photos by Shane Scoggins)

Senior Kallie Thrift helped lead the Lady Lions to a Senior Night win over a tough Oglethorpe County team Thursday in the Lion’s Den. (Photos by Shane Scoggins)

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Fighting for home

News Staff
Thursday, October 1, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher The Lady Lions are eyeing a top eight finish in the Georgia High School Association’s power rankings, which would give them two state playoff games in the Lion’s Den.Franklin was ranked No. 13 as of Monday in the state rankings, with five private schools ranked ahead of...
Championship rings were presented Friday to (from left) Josh Baughcum, Candler Stone and Will Gipson for state championships won during last school year.

Championship rings were presented Friday to (from left) Josh Baughcum, Candler Stone and Will Gipson for state championships won during last school year.

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Lions honor state champs

News Staff
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Three state champions were honored Friday night just before halftime of the Franklin County/Stephens County football game at Jeff Davis Field at Ed Bryant Stadium.
Franklin County’s cheerleaders and fans came out Friday to support the Lions in their Region 8AAA opener against rival Stephens County. The visiting Indians won 42-14, despite five passes caught by Jett Whitworth (above photo).

Franklin County’s cheerleaders and fans came out Friday to support the Lions in their Region 8AAA opener against rival Stephens County. The visiting Indians won 42-14, despite five passes caught by Jett Whitworth (above photo).

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Missed chances

News Staff
Thursday, October 1, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher The Region 8AAA opener didn’t go Franklin County’s way Friday night at Jeff Davis Field at Ed Bryant Stadium.The Lions fell 42-14 against the rival Stephens County Indians.“We definitely had our chances,” Franklin Coach Chuck Holland said.
The Franklin County Lady Lion flag football team’s members are Britton Dove, Khloe Kelly, Chloe Schnider, Nykia Johnson, Zy Merrit, Bryleigh White, Lu Prez Ruiz, Desmariah Johnson, Myla Stratton, Palmer Law, Kate Finger, Allie Duncan, Shanyiah Oglesby, Jyhia Sturghill, Elizabeth Stratton, Autumn Rich, Lille McGee and Asia Cunningham. The team is coached by Head Coach Bailee Breedlove and Assistant Tyler Matthews.

The Franklin County Lady Lion flag football team’s members are Britton Dove, Khloe Kelly, Chloe Schnider, Nykia Johnson, Zy Merrit, Bryleigh White, Lu Prez Ruiz, Desmariah Johnson, Myla Stratton, Palmer Law, Kate Finger, Allie Duncan, Shanyiah Oglesby, Jyhia Sturghill, Elizabeth Stratton, Autumn Rich, Lille McGee and Asia Cunningham. The team is coached by Head Coach Bailee Breedlove and Assistant Tyler Matthews.

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History made

News Staff
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher Franklin County’s newest varsity sport made its place in Lion history Tuesday with a win over an archrival.FCHS’ flag football team picked up the first win in school history with a 53-0 blowout victory over Stephens County in a game at The Granite Bowl in Elberton.The win...
Members of Franklin County High School’s 2026 Homecoming Court are (from left) freshman Cara Lou Hill, sophomore Jyhia Sturghill, junior Sidni Allor, senior Valeria Aragon-Lara, Queen Mia Patterson, senior Mallory Williams, senior Korah Brown, junior Amelia Bennett, sophomore Genevieve Valencia-Sampero and freshman Shaniyah Oglesby.

Members of Franklin County High School’s 2026 Homecoming Court are (from left) freshman Cara Lou Hill, sophomore Jyhia Sturghill, junior Sidni Allor, senior Valeria Aragon-Lara, Queen Mia Patterson, senior Mallory Williams, senior Korah Brown, junior Amelia Bennett, sophomore Genevieve Valencia-Sampero and freshman Shaniyah Oglesby.

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Homecoming memories

News Staff
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher Plenty of memories were made during the week of Franklin County High School’s 2026 Homecoming.Along with traditional celebrations that included Spirit Week, the Lion Walk of pep rallies at elementary schools and the Homecoming Dance, a new Homecoming Parade was added.The...
The Franklin County High School and Middle School teams hosted the Bill Woods and Jan Taylor Pridelands Invitational Saturday morning.

The Franklin County High School and Middle School teams hosted the Bill Woods and Jan Taylor Pridelands Invitational Saturday morning.

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FCHS cross country hosts annual Woods/Taylor Pridelands races

News Staff
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher The Franklin County High School and Middle School teams hosted the Bill Woods and Jan Taylor Pridelands Invitational Saturday morning.The meet is named in honor of former coaches Bill “Woody” Woods and Jan Taylor, who were beloved cross country and track coaches for the...
The undefeated Franklin County Lions will host the Crescent, S.C., Tigers Friday for Homecoming for a chance to make more history on a special night.

The undefeated Franklin County Lions will host the Crescent, S.C., Tigers Friday for Homecoming for a chance to make more history on a special night.

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Homecoming test

News Staff
Thursday, September 17, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher The undefeated Franklin County Lions will host the Crescent, S.C., Tigers Friday for a chance to make more history on a special night.It will be Homecoming at Jeff Davis Field at Ed Bryant Stadium for the Lions.A victory in the game will mean a 4-0 start for Franklin for...
Senior Lady Lion Avery Burton jumps to push the ball across the net over two Elbert County defenders Tuesday in Region 8AAA action at Hart County High School. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Senior Lady Lion Avery Burton jumps to push the ball across the net over two Elbert County defenders Tuesday in Region 8AAA action at Hart County High School. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

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Lady Lions to host pair of No. 1s at Emmanuel

News Staff
Thursday, September 17, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher The Franklin County Lions will host two No. 1-ranked teams in a battle for or first place in the Region 8AAA volleyball Tuesday in Franklin Springs.Franklin County will host Hebron Christian, ranked No. 1 by Score Atlanta among private schools, and Morgan County, Score...
Franklin County Lady Lions Savannah Jackson and Reese Smith race each other to the finish line Saturday at the North Oconee Titans Invitational in Bogart. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Franklin County Lady Lions Savannah Jackson and Reese Smith race each other to the finish line Saturday at the North Oconee Titans Invitational in Bogart. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

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Franklin Cross Country to host meet Saturday

News Staff
Thursday, September 17, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher Franklin County’s cross country teams will run at home for the first and only time Saturday.The Franklin County High School and Middle School teams will host the Bill Woods and Jan Taylor Pridelands Invitational Saturday morning.Franklin’s teams will be joined by high...
Coach Chuck Holland tells his team how proud he is of them after the Franklin County Lions defeated Madison County 30-14 Friday in Danielsville. (Photos by Shane Scoggins)

Coach Chuck Holland tells his team how proud he is of them after the Franklin County Lions defeated Madison County 30-14 Friday in Danielsville. (Photos by Shane Scoggins)

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Madison mashed

News Staff
Thursday, September 10, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher It had been 43 years since the Franklin County Lions started back-to-back seasons with a 3-0 record.Until Friday night.The Lions defeated an old nemesis, the Madison County Red Raiders, 30-14 in Danielsville to stay undefeated through the first third of the 2026 football...