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
2025 SCHEDULE – FRANKLIN COUNTY
Personnel & Schemes
Key Departures: Everett Allegood
Returning Starters:Â 7 on offense; 7 on defense
Key Returning Players:Â Nava Ware, DJ Appleby, Keyes Harbin, Elliott Harbin, Carson Cheek, Cole Woods
Up & Coming Players:Â Knox Whitworth, Jordan Ardister, Jett Whitworth
Offense:
It’s hard to know for sure without hearing from Franklin, but if you glean from the spring game, Elliott Harbin (SO) is 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 Knox Whitworth (FR QB/DB) playing valuable roles. Cheek and Whitworth are the two fastest players on the team.
Defense:
There’s no shortage of talents on this side of the ball. SR LB Ramsey Fulbright, SR DL DJ Appleby, and SR DB Cole Woods, along with JR DB Gavin Wells are names to look out for.
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:Â Skill players and speed
Focusing On:Â Stability and consistency offensively
