The 2025 football season brings new challenges for the Franklin Panthers as they adapt to the relocation of their field house, practice field, and home games. Franklin High School (FHS) is constructing a new complex, along with a new football stadium and field house, a project that is expected to be completed by July 2027.
Construction began earlier this year, starting with the demolition of the old football stadium, field house, and stadium parking lot. This led the Panthers to set up base at Macon Middle School (MMS), using their new field house as a locker room and weight room. The MMS field house is currently home to three football programs: MMS, Junior Varsity (JV), and varsity.
Just below the middle school field house is a brand-new, sodded Bermuda grass practice field that was graded and prepped free of charge by Young Contracting. Football players helped set 51 pallets of square sod as they prepared a place to practice the game.
“The kids have embraced the transition, and I have as well,” said Coach Josh Brooks.
And, if people are wondering about their tax dollars being used, Brooks added, “We are using every square inch of this place. Once we [JV and varsity] move to our new facility, the middle school team could potentially have the nicest locker room and weight room in the state.”
Prep-work at MMS
Previously, the Panthers’ old practice field had 150 yards of lush green grass, which was shared by both the JV and varsity teams. The new MMS practice field measures 70 yards and is shared by all three programs, resulting in a staggered practice schedule and increased wear on the grass.
Since January 2025, Josh Brooks, his brother (Jay), FHS Athletic Director Matt Bradley, and Varsity Baseball Coach Jared Greenwood have been transporting football players, along with other high school students, to the middle school during every period to participate in Bigger Faster Stronger, a weight-lifting class.
“The good thing about being over here [at MMS] is that there’s literally no distractions whatsoever, no announcements, and students aren’t leaving class to do other things,” said Brooks. “I truly believe we had the best spring lifting season ever, and I attribute it to the lack of distractions.”
Out of 70 players, more than 95% showed growth in their overall maximum weight numbers. Franklin has two players, Garrett Young (sophomore), and Blake Garber (junior), who are in the 1,000-pound Club, which means over a total of three lifts (bench press, barbell squat, and power clean) their max total is 1,000 pounds. Many players are also in the 900- and 800-pound club.
“The weight room is tough; you’ll get out of it what you put into it. You can’t cheat, and you can’t use AI. Our players invested time into the weight room, and that will move to the field,” added Brooks.
Adjustments in schedule and locale
This year, due to the absence of a home stadium, the JV and varsity teams both have 10 straight away games, with varsity “home” games being played at Western Carolina University’s E.J. Whitmire Stadium. As any football fan knows, playing at home brings a significant advantage. The fans are louder, the energy is electric, and friends and family are there to rally support.
“It is tough not having a home field, and we could very well make excuses, but at the end of the day, you get to play the game on a regulation field against an opponent. All that matters is how it goes when the whistle blows and the clock starts between the lines,” noted Brooks.
Unfortunately, this year’s senior class will miss the experience of playing on their own turf, but undergrads will once again regain that status come 2026.
‘Tough people win’
This year’s varsity team is relatively young, comprised of 13 seniors, 23 juniors, and four sophomores. Brooks looks to the season already underway with optimism and with the reality of a tough schedule of opponents ahead. He would like to pursue a conference championship, while having the opportunity to appear in the North Carolina State playoffs. FHS has not had a playoff appearance since 2017.
“I love this team. I love their effort, and their attitude. We are having 6 a.m. practices and we don’t have guys missing; I love their commitment,” he said.
When asked about this year’s focus for the team, Brooks has told his players, “Tough people win. We just need the best you have, every single day, in the classroom, in the community, in the weight room, on the practice field, and in the games; we need the best you have.”
Players to watch this year include three-year starter and returning captain, running back Addix Sutton (senior); new tailback Garrett Young (sophomore); and a stout and strong offensive line.
The Panthers lost their season opener on Aug. 22 against the Murphy Bulldogs at E.J. Whitmire Stadium, in a game where the Panthers were up 16-7 going into the fourth quarter. Murphy went on to score 22 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, which Brooks attributed to mere missed opportunities and a young team learning how to secure a win.
The following Friday on Aug. 29, Franklin bounced back to claim their first win of the season against the Robbinsville Knights by a score of 28-7. And then on Sept. 5, FHS secured their second win in a row against the Swain County Maroon Devils, 45-27, making their record 2-1 entering week four of regular-season play.
Upcoming, FHS will face the East Henderson Eagles Sept. 11 and Brevard Sept. 18, both home games at Western Carolina University. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
Pictured top: Quarterback Anderson Terrell, a junior, runs the ball during the Sept. 5 game against Swain County.