If you go by records, there is a marked difference between Franklin High School’s (FHS) season and that of Macon Middle School (MMS). However, each school’s coach expresses that no matter the level of play, most important is each team member’s growth, humility, character, and good sportsmanship.
Looking at the FHS varsity and junior varsity (JV) squads’ records this year reveals a year of growth, indeed. As of April 15, the varsity men stood at a respectable 9-9 overall, but only 3-7 in the Mountain Seven Conference (M7C). They did get a big win over West Henderson, April 15, to finish a season sweep against the Falcons, who are above Franklin in the standings.
However, with Tuscola at 9-1 leading the pack, the Panthers find themselves in seventh place. That fact does not bother longtime head coach Jared Greenwood. He chooses to focus on the positives.
“It’s a great group of young men. We are peaking at the right time. We have had several guys step up into very important roles. They are not afraid of hard work and they are the most competitive bunch I’ve coached,” said Greenwood.
With only three games left, and those being against Hayesville (non-conference) and East Henderson (twice), which is the only team lower in the M7C standings than Franklin, there is little hope for climbing the positional ladder during the regular season. But that is where conference tournament play comes in. If a team is hot and playing well, anything can happen.
Added Greenwood, “We are playing really good team baseball right now, which is great leading into the playoffs. Best part is they are all coming back next year. We are not graduating any players. The majority of the players are sophomores.”
With such a young team, things are indeed looking up for the varsity Panthers, regardless of how this season turns out.
The JV boys got off to a tough start this season, losing their first four games and six out of seven before a win and a tie. However, that was followed by two more losses. Their record as of April 15 was 2-8-1. Obviously, with the varsity squad so young, that makes the JV team even younger.
The JV Panthers have three games left – one on May 5 at Erwin and then a home and away series against the East Henderson Eagles. again has his young troops leading the BRAC at 7-0, with four games left in the regular season.
MMS baseball winning again
After taking the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference (BRAC) championship two years ago and losing a painfully close championship game in 2024 (by a single run), Coach Randy Phillips again has his young troops leading the BRAC at 7-0, with four games left in the regular season.
Phillips has coached in some capacity since 2017. He was an assistant at FHS for six years before moving to MMS in 2023. There, he has orchestrated a 39-5 overall record and an even better 34-3 in the BRAC.
Before that, Phillips spent time in the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants minor league systems, at either of the upper AA or AAA levels mostly, the Taiwan Major Leagues, and in Venezuelan Winter Ball for 10 years as a pitcher.
Asked about this season’s experience so far, the coach responded, “We are playing very good defense and have been able to win close games because of pitching and defense. When we are hitting the ball, we can be a tough team to beat.”
With an overall record of 9-1 and being undefeated (7-0) in conference, Phillips expressed his assessment in comparing this year’s squad to last year.
“After 10 games, we are 9-1 compared to 8-2 from last year. I would say we were a little better hitting team last year but better with pitching and defense this year.”
Regarding standout players on his team, the coach pointed out Max Cable, Graham Cantrell, and Jude Morgan – all of whom are hitting nearly .500 for the year and have been very consistent at the plate.
“On the mound Graham Cantrell, Brayden Greenwood, and Paxton Green have been super reliable and I would put them up against anyone in our league,” Phillips stated, when describing his pitching staff.
Additionally, the coach acknowledged players Sam Moore, Easton Holbrooks, and Grey Ward, who are all leaders on the team in one capacity or another, and whose numbers are also very good.
As for the rest of this year, Phillips stated that he merely wants the athletes to continue improving on their skills. “I hope to win out and win the championship game and playoffs, but it has always been more important to me for these kids to learn the basics and fundamentals of the game instead of wins and losses. We won the championship two years ago and lost in the championship by one run last year, and I was just as happy and proud of last year’s team as the championship team.”
The coach also added that as long as his boys continue to play good baseball with defense and pitching, “they are going to be fine.” That way, Phillips can then hand Coach Greenwood more polished players when they move to high school.