The Lions roared in 2025 – sporting a 7-win playoff campaign for the first time since 2020. It was the highest-scoring Franklin team since 1992, and the best defense going back to 2008. What’s on tap for an encore?

Chuck Holland has a solid core that includes Carson Cheek (609 total yds, 7 TD), Elliot Harbin (138 TKL, 5 Offensive TD), Knox Whitworth (4 TD), and Jett Whitworth, along with Kennan ‘Duke’ Burtch on the line. Yes, a lot of talent rolls off, but this next group has a real shot to take the next step offensively.

Franklin County has announced its 2026 Schedule. We dissect the slate, going game-by-game with our way-too-early predictions for the regular season. The following insight depends heavily on the known – returning or departing players, incoming players we know of, etc. The unknown is the other side of the same coin – some unknown up-and-coming middle school talent, JV standouts, move-ins, etc.