Western Carolina University (WCU) scored a school-record 45 points in the first half of their home opener against the Mars Hill Lions last Saturday, Sept. 10.

At halftime, the Catamounts lead 45-17, and had an early start in picking up their first home victory since fall of 2009 and their first team victory in seven games that dates back to October of the 2010-2011 season. The Catamounts’ 52-31 point scoring home opener at E.J. Whitmire Stadium sent the Lions home with a loss. 

“The guys played a full four quarters, and that is exactly what we needed to do in order to win,” said Kellen Bewsey, assistant equipment manager for the Catamounts. Bewsey, a WCU alumni, has worked with WCU's football team since high school and says this year's team is among the best he has seen. “It was a great day to be a Catamount,” Bewsey said of Saturday's win.

Western Carolina University’s award winning Pride of the Mountains Marching Band has been selected to perform at the Carolina Panthers’ home opener on Sunday, Sept. 18.

WCU’s marching band will provide entertainment during the half-time show of the game in which the Carolina Panthers will be competing against defending Super bowl champions, The Green Bay Packers.

“The Pride of the Mountains considers this invitation a great honor, and we are eager to prove ourselves worthy of being invited,” said WCU band director, David Starnes.

Franklin Panthers send Murphy Bulldogs home with a loss

The Franklin Panthers varsity football team had another dominating performance last Friday night, beating the 1A Murphy Bulldogs 38-21 in the team’s home opener. Franklin’s offense executed consistently, accumulating an impressive 474 total yards. Meanwhile, the Panthers’ defense stifled Murphy’s passing game, allowing just 7 of 16 completions for a trivial 34 yards. The win gives the Panthers their second victory of the season, and makes them one of 13 unbeaten teams in Western North Carolina.

Students working tirelessly to raise remaining $25,000

Franklin High School’s band as been chosen as 1 of the 15 bands that will perform at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida on January 2. The band will leave December 27 to make the trip to Jaguar Stadium. The band had to audition and competed with 286 other bands to secure their slot at the Gator Bowl. This will be FHS’ second appearance in the Gator Bowl, their first came in 2005. In 2005, the FHS band received first place out of the bands in attendance dubing them an “honors band.”