Sports

Eli Cooling led Franklin County in a game Friday against Madison County at FCHS. Cooling tied the school record for career goals in the Madison County game and then broke the record Tuesday against Towns County in Hiawassee. (Photos by Shane Scoggins)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Franklin Soccer to welcome highly-ranked Hebron in region opener

News Staff

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

By Shane ScogginsPublisher The Region 8AA schedule will open Monday for the Franklin County Lion and Lady Lion soccer teams.Franklin’s teams will host state-ranked teams from Hebron Christian Academy beginning with girls at 5 p.m. The boys’ game follows at 7 p.m.

Blane Dodson runs a relay leg at the Currahee Relays Saturday in Toccoa. (Photo courtesy of The Toccoa Record)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Franklin runs in first meet at UGA track

News Staff

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

By Shane ScogginsPublisher Franklin’s track teams ran Saturday in the Classic City Invitational meet held at the brand new University of Georgia track in Athens.The meet drew a couple of dozen high school teams from all classifications in Georgia.

Senior Bentley Huff puts up a shot in Franklin County’s round one win over Kendrick last week in the Lions Den. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lions fall to state’s top team in second round

News Staff

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

By Shane ScogginsPublisher The Franklin County Lions fell to the “best team in the state” Saturday in Atlanta in the Sweet 16 round of the state playoffs.The 93-58 loss to KIPP Atlanta Collegiate ended Franklin County’s season.

Senior Ta’Kiah Winkfield gets by two Coahulla Creek defenders on her way to the basket in a Sweet 16 game in Dalton Friday. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lady Lions lose close contest at Coahulla Creek in Sweet 16

News Staff

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

By Shane ScogginsPublisher A run to the second round of the state playoffs showed both what is to come and what might have been this season for the Franklin County Lady Lions.A young team, the Lady Lions look to return all but one player next season from this year’s rotation.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Honeywell signs deal with Giants

News Staff

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

From staff reports World Series champion and Franklin County native Brent Honeywell has signed a Minor League contract with the San Francisco Giants.Honeywell was signed Feb. 23.He was assigned to the AAA Sacramento River Cats on Friday.

Bella Rosene drives to the basket against Prince Avenue in the Region 8AA consolation game Friday in Bogart. Rosene made the game-winning basket Tuesday to send the Lady Lions to the second round of the state playoffs. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Bracket busters

News Staff

Thursday, February 26, 2026

By Shane ScogginsPublisher The Franklin County Lady Lions came from 11 points down in the fourth quarter to shock No. 4 seed Morgan County Tuesday and advance to the second round of the state basketball tournament.The Lady Lions, seeded No.

Coach Jason Shaver gives his team instructions during a timeout in the Region 8AA championship game Friday at Prince Avenue Christian School in Bogart.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lions open state tourney with win at home against Kendrick

News Staff

Thursday, February 26, 2026

By Shane ScogginsPublisher Another run in the state basketball tournament began Wednesday for the Franklin County Lions with a 60-54 victory at home against Kendrick.The Lions came into the tournament as the Region 8AA runners-up and the No. 11 seed in Class AA.Franklin has a 17-10 record.

Among those expected to contribute to the Franklin County Lion soccer team this season is Jonathan Bawiceu (No. 9). (Photos by Shane Scoggins)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Soccer squads look to add to history

News Staff

Thursday, February 26, 2026

By Shane ScogginsPublisher Franklin County High School’s varsity soccer programs each made history in 2025 and aim to build on that history in 2026.The boys’ team became the first Franklin County program to ever host a state playoff game after finishing second in Region 8AA last season.

Franklin County Lion Josh Baughcum wraps up an opponent during his run to the Class AA 150-pound state championship. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Another Lion champion

News Staff

Thursday, February 19, 2026

By Shane ScogginsPublisher Going into Saturday’s final rounds of the Georgia High School Association Traditional Wrestling Championships, Josh Baughcum had accomplished nearly everything possible.

Colt Carroll works to pin an opponent during his run to a state runner-up finish at 106 pounds in the GHSA Traditional Wrestling Tournament held over the weekend in Morrow. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Second in state

News Staff

Thursday, February 19, 2026

By Shane ScogginsPublisher The Franklin County High School Wrestling program is moving from setting goals to setting standards.