Sports

Jaxon Norwood works to finish a takedown against an Appling County opponent Friday in the State Duals Championship at East Jackson High School. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lions change focus after State Duals

News Staff

Thursday, January 22, 2026

By Shane ScogginsPublisher Franklin County wrestling is turning its attention to preparing for the Area 8AA and state traditional tournaments.

Lion Trey Silva stretches out a Hart County opponent in the Area 8AA Duals Championship round Saturday in Blairsville. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Total team title

News Staff

Thursday, January 15, 2026

By Shane ScogginsPublisher The Franklin County Lions went into the Area 8AA Duals Championship Saturday at Union County High School as the tournament’s No. 1 seed.But Coach Zach Marinell said that his squad was not the favorite to take the 8AA title.“Our kids are considered underdogs,” he said.

Lion senior Nava Ware goes up to score in Franklin County’s win over Stephens County Tuesday in the Lions’ Den. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Franklin scalps Indians to open 8AA play

News Staff

Thursday, January 15, 2026

By Shane ScogginsPublisher Coach Jason Shaver said that he has been emphasizing to his Franklin County Lions the need to focus on the game in front of them.The idea is to work exclusively to go 1-0 in the next game on the schedule.

Freshman Jyhia Sturghill drive to the basket for a layup Tuesday against Stephens County. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Strong performance brings Lady Lions win over Stephens

News Staff

Thursday, January 15, 2026

By Shane ScogginsPublisher A young Franklin County Lady Lions team put together one of its best performances of the season thus far Tuesday to open the Region 8AA schedule with a victory.Franklin defeated visiting Stephens County 55-47 Tuesday in the Lions’ Den.

Lion Ramsey Fulbright pins a Rabun opponent in a match earlier this season.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Dual-ing 8AA

News Staff

Thursday, January 8, 2026

By Shane ScogginsPublisher The Franklin County Lion wrestling team will look to bring home an Area 8AA championship Saturday.The Area 8AA Duals Tournament will begin Saturday at 10 a.m. at Union County High School in Blairsville.

Avery Burton grabs a rebound in a Lady Lions win over Washington-Wilkes Wednesday in the Lions' Den.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Region schedule tips off Tuesday

News Staff

Thursday, January 8, 2026

By Shane ScogginsPublisher The coming of the new year also brings with it the beginning of the Region 8AA schedule for the Franklin County Lion and Lady Lion basketball teams.Region play will begin Tuesday at home against Stephens County.The girls’ game will tipoff at 6 p.m.

The Franklin County Middle School eighth grade Cubs secured the top seed in the upcoming NEGIAA region tournament with a 53-34 victory Tuesday over Madison County Middle School in Comer.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Cubs lock down top seed in region

News Staff

Thursday, January 8, 2026

The Franklin County Middle School eighth grade Cubs secured the top seed in the upcoming NEGIAA region tournament with a 53-34 victory Tuesday over Madison County Middle School in Comer. The victory improved FCMS’ record to 16-0 verall and 10-0 in the region.

Chloe McFarlin helped lead the Franklin County Lady Lions in a strong showing in the 2025 McDonald’s Shootout in Hartwell. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lady Lions strong in Hart tournament

News Staff

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

By Shane ScogginsPublisher With the second half of the season and the Region 8AA looming, the Franklin County Lady Lions may be playing their best basketball so far.The Lady Lions played Tuesday for fifth place in the 2025 McDonald’s Shootout Tournament hosted by Hart County High School.

Teammates swarm Sam Shaver after the sophomore made a last-second shot to defeat Habersham Central Dec. 13 in the Lions’ Den. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Prepping for 8AA

News Staff

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

By Shane ScogginsPublisher The Region 8AA opener for the Franklin County Lion basketball team is still a couple of weeks away on Jan. 13 against Stephens County.But Coach Jason Shaver said that his team is being prepared for those high-pressure contests in their non-region contests.

Lady Lion Nykhia Johnson drives toward the basket in action last week against Habersham Central in the Lion’s Den. Johnson finished with eight points. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lady Lions aim for more experience, to get healthy

News Staff

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

By Shane ScogginsPublisher While the Franklin County Lady Lions’ 2-7 start to the 2025-26 season will go down in the record books, it may not be indicative of where the team will end up.