In the annals of Franklin High School sports, there have been many memorable seasons, across numerous sports. But 2026 is shaping up to be a stellar year with the Panthers dominating across the board.
Girls volleyball, football, and men’s soccer programs are all in first place within the Mountain 8 Conference.
Volleyball nearly notches undefeated season
Head Coach Bekah Brooks’ Lady Panthers has had many successful campaigns in recent years. Yet when the 2026 regular season ends, the only blemish will be West Henderson. Franklin won at home, 3-2 back on September 10 but was defeated at Mills River on October 6, 1-3.
The Lady Panthers finished as co-champions with the Lady Falcons. They finished at 13-1 in conference (24-1 overall). FHS only lost eight total games the entire season, with matches decided by a best-of-five format. However, based on Rating Percentage Index, or strength of schedule, West Henderson will have the top seed in the conference tournament.
Notably, this year’s volleyball team is comprised of mostly underclassmen, with all the statistical leaders being juniors. However, Brooks emphatically pointed out her “all in” approach to coaching.
“I am definitely a whole team type of coach. You can’t have a great hitter without a great setter; You can’t have a great setter without a great passer. This sport so much about relying on each other,” Brooks explained.
As with any season, the Lady Panthers have seen their share of adversity, despite the outstanding record. Brooks added that momentum and minimizing mistakes play an important role also.
“Volleyball is about momentum. We have hands-down some of the best in the state. I could praise all of them for their individual skills and effort. We lost one of our best players in the fourth game this season and we have another starter that has dealt with a knee injury.
“And now with Bristol (Brooks’ daughter) going down in the fourth set at West, we’re just getting kind of slapped in the mouth right now. But how we respond will speak volumes for us. It’s easy to quit but quitters are losers and we can’t be losers,” she said
Some standouts on the team included:
- Ella Raby led in total kills; 262, ‘kills per set’ with 3.5 and ‘digs per set’ with 3.2
- Bristol Brooks topped three categories: Aces served; 41, aces per set; .6, and total assists; 737
- Emma Hatch had a .385 hitting percentage
- Finley Moffitt; 54 total blocks
- Aubrey Newsome; 267 receptions
Brooks and the Lady Panthers begin M8C tournament play Tuesday at Tuscola High School. Following the conference tournament, they will be seeded for the state playoffs, which should commence around Oct. 16.
As to her hopes for post-season play, Coach Brooks was her doggedly determined and positive self.
“Definitely would love to win the conference championship. We just have a main goal of doing better than we did the year before, so if we can get into that fourth round and win that game, it would just be awesome.” she exclaimed.
Brooks also expressed a bit of mixed feelings with the lone loss to end regular season play.
“We kind of hate that ‘U’ word, which is undefeated. That hung over our heads for so long. It’s just a heavy weight and such a target on your back. We did not play well enough the other night. Playoffs can be tense because it is winners advance and losers go home. We just have to get locked in, create the energy, and do what we do best,” she said.
Can FHS football go undefeated?
In Josh Brooks’ 21 years as Franklin’s head football coach, undefeated seasons are not unheard of.
In 2013 and 2017, the program ended the regular season undefeated but lost their first game in the state playoffs. In 2014, the team rattled off a 14-game winning streak before losing to East Lincoln in the semi-final game.
Through eight games thus far this year, Brooks has his squad sitting at 8-0 (5-0) after thrashing North Henderson, 45-7 Friday night at the Panther Pit.
With two games left, the largest looming challenge appears to be the Smoky Mountain Mustangs, who currently sit in third place within conference. Their only loss was at second place Tuscola Sept. 25 where they were trounced 41-13.
The Panthers defeated the Tuscola in Waynesville, 42-33 Oct. 2. Franklin plays Smoky Mountain Oct. 23 in Sylva. FHS also faces West Henderson in Franklin, Oct. 30.
Brooks would be the first to tell you that looking ahead can be detrimental as every team wants to win and the longer a winning streak goes, the more difficult it becomes.
The coach was proud of the overall effort exhibited earlier in the season, “The way our team handled the first few weeks without Garret (Young at starting running back) and how they all stepped up, never complained, and just got the job done.”
Statistically, three players lead the team overall: senior quarterback Anderson Terrell, junior receiver/cornerback Gabe Harrison, and junior running back/inside linebacker Garrett Young.
When asked what has pleased him the most as the season has progressed, Brooks said, “The leader of our team – the outstanding play of our three-year starter at quarterback, Anderson Terrell.”
So far, Terrell, a team captain, has passed for 11 touchdowns and holds a completion percentage of .671 along with a quarterback (QB) rating of 132.4. He also rushed for five touchdowns on the season so far.
Young, another captain, leads in multiple areas, both offense and defense. He averages 130 yards rushing per game and has scored 11 total touchdowns, nine rushing. Young also leads the team in caused fumbles with three, and two fumble recoveries.
As the team’s leading receiver, Harrison has produced six touchdowns and averages 70.7 yards per game. On the defensive side, some other standouts include junior Daveion Hall, a defensive end/fullback, with seven sacks total, eight tackles per game, and nine QB hurries.
Other standouts noted by Coach Brooks were senior placekicker Juan Olvera who “has been outstanding handling the kicking.”
Brooks added that “Lance Parker, Damion Bowles, and Gabe Harrison have been great blockers as wide receivers.”
While no one can predict how the season will play out just yet, Brooks has seen plenty in over two decades as a coach at various levels with the Panthers. He knows better than anyone what it takes to make it through successfully.
“It’s a week-by-week challenge—I love our team, its leadership, its character, its competitive spirit, and its energy. I just want us to go 1-0 each week and get better,” he stated.
Men’s soccer setting conference pace
Head Coach Bryan Wilkinson stated at the outset of this season that he expected his young team to improve this year. Has it ever.
Following a .500 start after eight games, as conference play began, the Panthers went on an eight-game winning streak. Following a home loss to Brevard Oct. 7, Wilkinson’s team still holds first place in the M8C with four games remaining.
“Our priority is winning our remaining games and securing the best possible playoff position,” said Wilkinson. “Right now, we are focused on managing injuries, keeping the boys motivated, and discipline on and off the field. We are fortunate to have an outstanding coaching staff who work tirelessly to get the best out of every player.”
They have a one-game lead over Brevard, having split their two-games this season. Their next match is home Oct. 14 vs. Tuscola.
Pictured top: Senior QB Anderson Terrell throws for one of his five TDs adding a rushing TD in a 42-33 win over the Mountaineers Oct. 2
All photo credits Ronnie Van Hook.
