A Lions team that returns just about every skill position player from last year should boost an offense that was good for 22 points per game last year. Chuck Holland’s Franklin County team made huge strides, going from 1-9 to 3-7 with massive improvements on both sides of the ball. That trend should continue this year, as the team looks for a playoff berth for the first time since 2020.

Head Coach: Chuck Holland (3rd Season)
2024 Record: 3-7; No Playoffs

*limited/estimated preview info after no response from Franklin County*

2025 SCHEDULE – FRANKLIN COUNTY

Personnel & Schemes

Key Departures: Everett Allegood

Returning Starters: 7 on offense; 7 on defense

Key Returning Players: Nava Ware, DJ Appleby, Keyes Harbin, Elliott Harbin, Carson Cheek, Cole Woods

Up & Coming Players: Knox Whitworth, Jordan Ardister, Jett Whitworth

Offense: 
Keyes Harbin is likely to be the QB1 and Knox Whitworth as a FR is right behind him. In the spring game, Elliott Harbin (SO) was the starting QB, and totaled three TDs in that game. He’s a dual threat. Jordan Ardister (SR RB) sniffed 100 yards rushing, and it’s likely to see guys like Carson Cheek (JR RB) and Neva Ware (SR RB) get more of the carries. Cheek and Whitworth are the two fastest players on the team. Top receivers are Jett Whitworth (SO), Mason Davis (SR), Cole Woods (SR), and Jeremiah Mayfield (SR).

Defense: 
There’s no shortage of talents on this side of the ball. The top players in the secondary as DBs will be JR Gavin Wells, Jett Whitworth (SO), Carson Cheek (JR), and Jeremiah Mayfield (SR). The LB core includes SR Ramsey Fulbright and SO Elliot Harbin. OLB SR Carmelo Hines and JR Sihon Wigfall are going to be go-to players, and at safety add in Cole Woods (SR) and SR Mason Davis. Neva Ware at OLB is another key piece. SR DL DJ Appleby will anchor the line.

Trenches: DJ Appleby will be the key on the D-Line, and others like SO Knite Forster will huge there too. SR Billy Hammock on the OL is another one to look out for.

Strengths & Areas of Focus

Strengths: Skill players and speed

Focusing On: Stability and consistency offensively