Sports

Moments after winning the state championship Saturday at the Macon Centerplex, Brady Simms celebrates with his sister Lacy Plontke (left) and baby Charlotte and his mother, Alicia Simms. (Photos by Scoggins)

Moments after winning the state championship Saturday at the Macon Centerplex, Brady Simms celebrates with his sister Lacy Plontke (left) and baby Charlotte and his mother, Alicia Simms. (Photos by Scoggins)

Brady Simms pins down state title

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   Brady Simms secured one last takedown in the third period Saturday in the AAA 175-pound state wrestling championship match. When the whistle blew six seconds later, Simms was a state wrestling champion, just the third in Franklin County High School history.
Four Franklin County Lions placed in the top four at the Georgia State Traditional Tournament last week in Macon. Will Ballenger (above) was second at 138 pounds, Zane Puff was third at 165 pounds, Jacob Baughcum was fourth at 157 pounds and Brady Simms won the state championship at 175 pounds.

Four Franklin County Lions placed in the top four at the Georgia State Traditional Tournament last week in Macon. Will Ballenger (above) was second at 138 pounds, Zane Puff was third at 165 pounds, Jacob Baughcum was fourth at 157 pounds and Brady Simms won the state championship at 175 pounds.

Adding up to 4th

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   The Franklin County Lions placed fourth in Class AAA in the state traditional wrestling tournament, claimed one individual state title and had six state placers. The tournament was held last week at the Macon Centerplex.
Nykhia Johnson goes up for a lay up against Hart County in the Region 8AAA consolation game Friday in Toccoa. (Photo by Scoggins)

Nykhia Johnson goes up for a lay up against Hart County in the Region 8AAA consolation game Friday in Toccoa. (Photo by Scoggins)

Lady Lions win to move on to Sweet 16

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   The Franklin County Lady Lions are through to the state’s Sweet 16. Franklin upset Carver of Atlanta 71-57 Tuesday in Atlanta to advance to the second round of the state Class AAA basketball tournament.
Kain Roach dives into third base after serving as a courtesy runner against Apalachee. (Photo by Scoggins)

Kain Roach dives into third base after serving as a courtesy runner against Apalachee. (Photo by Scoggins)

Lions winning close but still undefeated

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   The first week of the baseball season for the Franklin County Lions has been a successful, if stressful, one. “A lot of gray hairs I don’t need right now,” Coach David Skelly said of the early-season games. The Lions are 4-0 and have moved into the No.
Will Ballenger (above) and Brady Simms are each seeded No. 1 in their respective weight classes for the state tournament, which begins today in Macon.

Will Ballenger (above) and Brady Simms are each seeded No. 1 in their respective weight classes for the state tournament, which begins today in Macon.

Simms, Ballenger lead Lions to state tourney in Macon

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   Nine Franklin County wrestlers will compete in the state traditional wrestling tournament in Macon this week, with two ranked as the favorites to win championships in their weight classes.
Emiyah Strange drives past a Hart defeander and looks for a shot in the Lady Lion’s final home game of the regular season Friday. (Photos by Scoggins)

Emiyah Strange drives past a Hart defeander and looks for a shot in the Lady Lion’s final home game of the regular season Friday. (Photos by Scoggins)

State clinched

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   The Franklin County Lady Lions were 7.5 seconds away from the end of the 2024 season. Coming out of a timeout, Franklin trailed Stephens County 56-54 in the first round of the Region 8AAA tournament Monday in Monroe. Franklin lined up to inbound the ball.
The Franklin County Lions dominated the Area 8AAA traditional wrestling tournament Saturday in Toccoa.  The Lions brought home the team championship, seven individual area championships, four runner-up finishes and 13 state sectional qualifiers.

The Franklin County Lions dominated the Area 8AAA traditional wrestling tournament Saturday in Toccoa. The Lions brought home the team championship, seven individual area championships, four runner-up finishes and 13 state sectional qualifiers.

Lions win fourth straight 8AAA title, claim seven individual championships

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   The Franklin County Lions dominated the Area 8AAA traditional wrestling tournament Saturday in Toccoa. The Lions brought home the team championship, seven individual area championships, four runner-up finishes and 13 state sectional qualifiers.
Jordan Ardister goes up for a shot against Hebron Christian Tuesday in the Lion’s Den. Ardister and the Lions will host Hart County in the regular-season finale Friday.

Jordan Ardister goes up for a shot against Hebron Christian Tuesday in the Lion’s Den. Ardister and the Lions will host Hart County in the regular-season finale Friday.

Lions, Lady Lions to play for state berths in region tourney Monday

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   Spots in the state playoffs will be on the line Monday in the first round of the Region 8AAA basketball tournament for the Franklin County Lions and Lady Lions.
The Franklin County Lions and Lady Lions swept rival Stephens County Friday night in an electric atmosphere in the Lion’s Den. The boys won 59-55 in overtime, while the girls won 63-49

The Franklin County Lions and Lady Lions swept rival Stephens County Friday night in an electric atmosphere in the Lion’s Den. The boys won 59-55 in overtime, while the girls won 63-49

Lions down rival Indians in overtime

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   As the seconds ticked down Friday night on what would be an overtime victory for the Franklin County Lions against Stephens County, the FCHS Rude Crew waved goodbye to the Indians’ student section that stood directly across the court from it. “Let’s play football!
Senior Emyah Strange led Franklin with 25 points Friday against Stephens County.

Senior Emyah Strange led Franklin with 25 points Friday against Stephens County.

Lady Lions build momentum for stretch run

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   There are just three games remaining in the regular season schedule for the Franklin County Lady Lions. Franklin currently sits in fourth place in Region 8AAA, but with momentum going into its final three games against the top three teams in the region standings.