Sports

Lady Lion Hannah Crowe avenged a third place finish in her area tournament by defeating the area champion and the wrestler that defeated her at area to win the State Sectional tournament Friday in Commerce. (Photos by Shane Scoggins)

Lady Lion Hannah Crowe avenged a third place finish in her area tournament by defeating the area champion and the wrestler that defeated her at area to win the State Sectional tournament Friday in Commerce. (Photos by Shane Scoggins)

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A dozen to state

News Staff
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher Twelve Franklin County wrestlers – 11 Lions and one Lady Lion – will wrestle for state championships beginning Friday in Morrow.The Georgia High School Association Traditional Wrestling Tournament for Class AA and girls will be held Friday and Saturday at the Clayton...
Franklin County Lion Coach Jason Shaver talks with senior Bentley Huff during a break in play during Friday’s win over Hart County in the Lions Den. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Franklin County Lion Coach Jason Shaver talks with senior Bentley Huff during a break in play during Friday’s win over Hart County in the Lions Den. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

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Lions secure second seed in upcoming 8AA tourney

News Staff
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher Coach Jason Shaver turned to the Carthaginian General Hannibal for his pre-game speech Tuesday night.The general famous for marching elephants over the Alps to attack Rome reportedly said, “I will either find a way, or make one.”Before a game in which they could sew up a...
Senior Caden Cawthon delivers a pitch in Franklin County’s season-opening 11-1 win over Washington-Wilkes Monday in Carnesville. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Senior Caden Cawthon delivers a pitch in Franklin County’s season-opening 11-1 win over Washington-Wilkes Monday in Carnesville. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

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New-look Lions aim to continue success on diamond

News Staff
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher Great teams come and go, but great programs linger and contend every year.Franklin County Lions Baseball has developed into one of the leading programs in the area and in the state.Coming off a state runner-up finish last season, the Lions lost about half of its roster,...
The Franklin County Lion wrestling team took second place in the Area 8AA traditional tournament Friday at Stephens County High School. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

The Franklin County Lion wrestling team took second place in the Area 8AA traditional tournament Friday at Stephens County High School. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

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Well qualified

News Staff
Thursday, February 5, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher Fresh off a strong showing in the Area 8AA traditional tournament, all 12 Franklin County Lion wrestlers will compete Saturday to qualify for the state championship.The Lions will wrestle Saturday, beginning at  in the State Sectional Tournament at East Jackson High...
The Franklin County Middle School eighth grade Cubs won the NEGIAA region championship Thursday with a victory over Stephens County at Madison County Middle School in Comer. The victory capped off an undefeated season for the Cubs. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

The Franklin County Middle School eighth grade Cubs won the NEGIAA region championship Thursday with a victory over Stephens County at Madison County Middle School in Comer. The victory capped off an undefeated season for the Cubs. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

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Cubs win; Lady Cubs runners-up

News Staff
Thursday, February 5, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher Franklin County Middle School claimed one eighth-grade basketball championship Thursday and came close to a second.The FCMS eighth-grade boys’ team defeated Stephens County 51-47 for the NEGIAA championship.The eighth grade Lady Cubs fell just short in a 46-38 loss to...
Franklin County native Keylan Rutledge, pictured during a Georgia Tech game against Virginia Tech this past season, will play in the Panini Senior Bowl Saturday in Mobile, Ala. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Franklin County native Keylan Rutledge, pictured during a Georgia Tech game against Virginia Tech this past season, will play in the Panini Senior Bowl Saturday in Mobile, Ala. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

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Rutledge to play in Senior Bowl Saturday

News Staff
Thursday, January 29, 2026
From staff reports Franklin County native Keylan Rutledge will play Saturday in The Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.Rutledge, a 6’3”, 316-pound offensive lineman who played for Georgia Tech, will play for the National Team.The Senior Bowl is a prestigious All-Star game in which college players...
Zy Merritt (left) and Avery Burton (right) surround an East Jackson ball handler during the Franklin County Lady Lions’ win Thursday in Commerce. (Photos by Shane Scoggins)

Zy Merritt (left) and Avery Burton (right) surround an East Jackson ball handler during the Franklin County Lady Lions’ win Thursday in Commerce. (Photos by Shane Scoggins)

Winter weather pushes Franklin teams into new schedule

News Staff
Thursday, January 29, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher Winter weather will mean an adjustment in the Region 8AA schedule for the Franklin County Lion and Lady Lion basketball teams this week.Ice and freezing temperatures closed Franklin County Schools to students Monday through Thursday of this week, meaning a scheduled home...
The FCMS eighth grade Lady Cubs will face Stephens County for the region championship tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Madison County Middle School.

The FCMS eighth grade Lady Cubs will face Stephens County for the region championship tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Madison County Middle School.

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Eighth grade teams play for region titles

News Staff
Thursday, January 29, 2026
The Franklin County Middle School eighth grade basketball teams will play for NEGIAA region championships tonight in Comer.The FCMS eighth grade Lady Cubs will face Stephens County at 6:30 p.m., with the eighth grade boys also facing Stephens County at around 7:45 p.m.The games will be held at...
Ta’Kiaha Winkfield drives past a Prince Avenue defender in Friday’s Franklin County win over the Lady Wolverines. The game was Winkfield’s season debut after missing the start of the season due to injury. (Photos by Shane Scoggins)

Ta’Kiaha Winkfield drives past a Prince Avenue defender in Friday’s Franklin County win over the Lady Wolverines. The game was Winkfield’s season debut after missing the start of the season due to injury. (Photos by Shane Scoggins)

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Securing standings

News Staff
Thursday, January 22, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher The Franklin County Lady Lions will look to solidify their place as one of the top teams in Region 8AA in the next week.And they’ll do it against the last-place team and then the first-place squad in 8AA.Franklin will travel to East Jackson tonight for a rare Thursday...
Jeremiah Mayfield goes up for a layup between two Prince Avenue defenders in Franklin County’s home victory Friday. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Jeremiah Mayfield goes up for a layup between two Prince Avenue defenders in Franklin County’s home victory Friday. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

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Lions to host region-leading Hebron Christian Tuesday

News Staff
Thursday, January 22, 2026
By Shane ScogginsPublisher Region leading Hebron Christian will come to Carnesville Tuesday for a key game in the 8AA standings against the Franklin County Lions.Franklin, currently 2-1 and third in the region standings, will host Hebron, a top 10 team in the Class A-AAA private school...