Sports

Evan Herring looks to the umpire just moments before being ruled safe on a play at the plate Friday against Oconee County in Watkinsville. (Photo by Scoggins)

Evan Herring looks to the umpire just moments before being ruled safe on a play at the plate Friday against Oconee County in Watkinsville. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Franklin takes over top spot in 8AAA, will play for region title Friday

News Staff
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher The Franklin County Lions will play Friday for a Region 8AAA baseball championship. The Lions can wrap up the region championship and a No. 1 seed in the state playoffs by sweeping East Jackson in a doubleheader Friday beginning at 5 p.m.
New Franklin County Lion head football coach Parker Martin (left) talks with Fredricus Oglesby (center) and Josh Butler (right) during a meet and greet Tuesday after being officially hired by the Franklin County Board of Education. (Photo by Sinclair)

New Franklin County Lion head football coach Parker Martin (left) talks with Fredricus Oglesby (center) and Josh Butler (right) during a meet and greet Tuesday after being officially hired by the Franklin County Board of Education. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Martin named new head Lion

News Staff
Thursday, March 11, 2021
CARNESVILLE – Parker Martin is the new head coach of the Franklin County High School Lions’ football program. Martin was hired Tuesday as the high school’s 13th coach since 1964.
Franklin County Lion Charlie Henkel pins his opponent to win the Class AAA 170-pound championship last week at the state tournament in Macon. (Photo courtesy of Amber Cloy Photography)

Franklin County Lion Charlie Henkel pins his opponent to win the Class AAA 170-pound championship last week at the state tournament in Macon. (Photo courtesy of Amber Cloy Photography)

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Charlie's the champ!

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Charlie Henkel was a 138-pound freshman in 2018 when Abe Hafez won Franklin County High School’s first state wrestling championship. On Thursday, Henkel matched Hafez’ accomplishment and won the program’s second state championship.
Tony Jones (center) presented a commemorative football in 2016 to then Franklin County High School Principal Brad Roberts (left) and Athletic Director Jeff Davis on the occasion of the 50th Super Bowl. The footballs were presented to the high schools of each player who played in a Super Bowl. Jones was on two Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos teams.

Tony Jones (center) presented a commemorative football in 2016 to then Franklin County High School Principal Brad Roberts (left) and Athletic Director Jeff Davis on the occasion of the 50th Super Bowl. The footballs were presented to the high schools of each player who played in a Super Bowl. Jones was on two Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos teams.

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Royston native, Pro Bowler Tony Jones passes away

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Franklin County Sports Hall of Fame member Tony Jones, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos, died Friday at his home in Suwanee. He was 54. Jones grew up in Royston, the son of the late Henry E.
Franklin County Lion football Coach Paul Sutherland, who led the Lions to their best season in 20 years in 2020, has resigned and will be the new head football coach for Liberty High School in Liberty, S.C.

Franklin County Lion football Coach Paul Sutherland, who led the Lions to their best season in 20 years in 2020, has resigned and will be the new head football coach for Liberty High School in Liberty, S.C.

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Family health leads coach to leave Lions

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Franklin County High School is seeking a new head football coach. Coach Paul Sutherland, who led the Lions to their best season in 20 years in 2020, has resigned and will be the new head football coach for Liberty High School in Liberty, S.C. Sutherland, who lives in Pendleton, S.C.
The Franklin County Lions will make their first trip to the state playoffs in three seasons Friday when they travel to Norcross to face the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

The Franklin County Lions will make their first trip to the state playoffs in three seasons Friday when they travel to Norcross to face the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

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Franklin to travel to GAC for first round of playoffs

News Staff
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
The Franklin County Lions will make their first trip to the state playoffs in three seasons Friday when they travel to Norcross to face the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans. The Lions will represent Region 8AAA as the No. 4 seed. GAC is 9-0 and the Region 5AAA champions.
Franklin County travels to Hart County tonight to face a very good Bulldogs squad. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Hart's Herndon Stadium.

Franklin County travels to Hart County tonight to face a very good Bulldogs squad. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Hart's Herndon Stadium.

Hart awaits in 8AAA opener

Shane Scoggins
Friday, October 16, 2020
Coach Paul Sutherland’s analogy for the start of his Franklin County Lions’ region schedule harkened to Saturday football instead of Friday nights.
The Franklin County Lady Lions took second place in the Region 8AAA tournament Wednesday at Franklin County High School.

The Franklin County Lady Lions took second place in the Region 8AAA tournament Wednesday at Franklin County High School.

Lady Lions take second in region tournament

Shane Scoggins
Thursday, October 15, 2020
The Franklin County Lady Lions softball team secured a chance to host the first round of the state tournament Wednesday but failed to bring home the Region 8AAA trophy.
The Franklin County Lady Lions will host the semifinals, consolation game and championship game for Region 8AAA’s single-elimination final four today at Franklin County High School.

The Franklin County Lady Lions will host the semifinals, consolation game and championship game for Region 8AAA’s single-elimination final four today at Franklin County High School.

Lady Lions host region tournament finals today

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
The Franklin County Lady Lions will host the semifinals, consolation game and championship game for Region 8AAA’s single-elimination final four today at Franklin County High School.
The defending Region 8AAA champion and state champion runner-up Franklin County Lady Lions' softball season will begin today against Elbert County. Varsity will play at 7 p.m., with a junior varsity contest at 5 p.m.

The defending Region 8AAA champion and state champion runner-up Franklin County Lady Lions' softball season will begin today against Elbert County. Varsity will play at 7 p.m., with a junior varsity contest at 5 p.m.

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Defending region champs and state runners-up return 12 upperclassmen for 2020 season

Shane Scoggins
Friday, August 7, 2020
The Franklin County Lady Lions’ fast-pitch softball team has played in the state championship game two years running – winning once, won last year’s Region 8AAA championship and made the state tournament 10 consecutive seasons.