Sports

The Franklin County Middle School cross country teams will co-host the Pridelands Invitational Saturday at the FCHS course on High Road.

The Franklin County Middle School cross country teams will co-host the Pridelands Invitational Saturday at the FCHS course on High Road.

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Third Pridelands Invitational set for Saturday

News Staff
Thursday, September 9, 2021
The third annual Franklin County Pridelands Invitational 2021 will be held Saturday at the high school cross country course on High Road in Carnesville. Twenty-seven high school and middle school cross country teams and more than 700 runners are signed up to compete in the event.
Visitors’ parking at the new Jackson County Comprehensive High School campus will be on the side of the stadium opposite the school. The campus is off of Skelton Road in Hoschton. (Map provided by Jackson County Athletics)

Visitors’ parking at the new Jackson County Comprehensive High School campus will be on the side of the stadium opposite the school. The campus is off of Skelton Road in Hoschton. (Map provided by Jackson County Athletics)

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Lions, Panthers to meet at new Jackson campus

News Staff
Thursday, September 9, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   The Franklin County Lions will face a familiar opponent in a new place Friday night. Franklin will take on the Jackson County Panthers, a frequent foe in recent seasons, but the game will be at the new Jackson County Comprehensive High School in Hoschton.
After their game was canceled late last week due to coronavirus problems for opponent Banks County, the Franklin County Lions will be “even more eager to play” Friday night at home against East Hall, Coach Parker Martin said.

After their game was canceled late last week due to coronavirus problems for opponent Banks County, the Franklin County Lions will be “even more eager to play” Friday night at home against East Hall, Coach Parker Martin said.

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'More eager to play'

News Staff
Thursday, September 2, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   Coach Parker Martin was just about to put his Franklin County Lions through their final walk-through practice for Friday’s game against Banks County when he was told Banks had called off the game due to coronavirus problems at the Homer high school.
Jayden Gailey smacks one of her two doubles against Stephens County Thursday in Carnesville. (Photo by Scoggins)

Jayden Gailey smacks one of her two doubles against Stephens County Thursday in Carnesville. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Lady Lions aim to learn from close contests

News Staff
Thursday, September 2, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   The Franklin County Lady Lions softball team is ranked among the best in the state – No. 3, in fact, according to a poll published by Score Atlanta. “This is a good ball team,” Coach Jason Oliver said Tuesday.
Journey Roberts makes a throw to first base during Franklin County’s home game with Habersham Central Monday in Carnesville. (Photo by Scoggins)

Journey Roberts makes a throw to first base during Franklin County’s home game with Habersham Central Monday in Carnesville. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Lady Lions blow out Monroe for first 8AAA win

News Staff
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   Though less than three weeks into the 2021 season, the Franklin County Lady Lions are already in the midst of the Region 8AAA schedule. Franklin Fastpitch opened region play Tuesday with an 11-3 win over Monroe Area.
Franklin County linebacker Micah Blackwell (No. 1) celebrates after a Lumpkin County turnover during Friday’s game in Ed Bryant Stadium. (Photo by Scoggins)

Franklin County linebacker Micah Blackwell (No. 1) celebrates after a Lumpkin County turnover during Friday’s game in Ed Bryant Stadium. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Winning the first one

News Staff
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   The 2021 football season opener didn’t go off exactly as planned Friday night in Ed Bryant Stadium, but when the scoreboard clock hit zero, Franklin County had a victory.
C.J. Blackwell signed a college baseball scholarship recently. A celebration was held for him at Franklin County High School. Pictured are (front, from left) his mother Laura Smith, C.J., his father Corey Blackwell, Franklin County Athletic Director Jason Oliver, (back) Franklin County High School Principal Roger Wilkinson, FCHS Baseball Coach David Skelly and assistant coaches Ryan Phillips and Elliott Beard. (Photo by Scoggins)

C.J. Blackwell signed a college baseball scholarship recently. A celebration was held for him at Franklin County High School. Pictured are (front, from left) his mother Laura Smith, C.J., his father Corey Blackwell, Franklin County Athletic Director Jason Oliver, (back) Franklin County High School Principal Roger Wilkinson, FCHS Baseball Coach David Skelly and assistant coaches Ryan Phillips and Elliott Beard. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Hard work, excellent play leads Blackwell to Divison I

News Staff
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   When the All-Region 8AAA baseball team was announced this year, Coach David Skelly had to call senior C.J. Blackwell to tell him he was only named “Honorable Mention.” Blackwell initially thanked the coach and hung up.
Chris Goode (No. 2), Keylan “Red” Rutledge (No. 99) and Jontavion “Jo Jo” Hughes (No. 20) lead the Franklin County Lions onto the field Saturday at Herndon Stadium for action in the Lake Hartwell Gridiron Classic football jamboree. (Photo by Scoggins)

Chris Goode (No. 2), Keylan “Red” Rutledge (No. 99) and Jontavion “Jo Jo” Hughes (No. 20) lead the Franklin County Lions onto the field Saturday at Herndon Stadium for action in the Lake Hartwell Gridiron Classic football jamboree. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Lions host Lumpkin to begin season

News Staff
Thursday, August 19, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   The Franklin County Lions will open their 2021 football season against Lumpkin County Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Ed Bryant Stadium. It will be the debut of the Lions under new Head Coach Parker Martin.
Members of the 2021 Franklin County Lady Lion varsity volleyball team are Georgia Burton, Brooke Stephenson, Jordis Haselden, Michelle Lewis, Savanna Hart, Shelby Bowers, Jocelyn Dean, Sarenity Cade, Pressley Whitworth, Roniyah Johnson, Lacie McMillan, Takiyah Merriett, Kynzie Hamdan, Skye Keller and Teague Pierce. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Howington Photography)

Members of the 2021 Franklin County Lady Lion varsity volleyball team are Georgia Burton, Brooke Stephenson, Jordis Haselden, Michelle Lewis, Savanna Hart, Shelby Bowers, Jocelyn Dean, Sarenity Cade, Pressley Whitworth, Roniyah Johnson, Lacie McMillan, Takiyah Merriett, Kynzie Hamdan, Skye Keller and Teague Pierce. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Howington Photography)

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Building a program

News Staff
Thursday, August 19, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   Coach Michael Ritcey likes the direction his Franklin County High School volleyball program is headed. The team is already benefiting from the middle school program and the recreation department is now playing volleyball as well.
Journey Roberts heads to third during action Tuesday against Banks County at Franklin County High School. Roberts, a junior, is the only non-senior in the starting lineup for the Lady Lions. (Photo by Scoggins)

Journey Roberts heads to third during action Tuesday against Banks County at Franklin County High School. Roberts, a junior, is the only non-senior in the starting lineup for the Lady Lions. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Lady Lions open season in dominant fashion

News Staff
Thursday, August 12, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   The Franklin County Lady Lions are off to a quick start to the 2021 season, defeating their first four opponents by a combined score to 39-5. “We’ll take 4-0,” Coach Jason Oliver said Tuesday after his team’s 6-0 win over Banks County.