Football Game Preview: Franklin Panthers vs. Hickory Red Tornadoes + How To Watch

The Franklin Panthers will head out to challenge the Hickory Red Tornadoes at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Each of these teams will be fighting to keep a win streak alive as Franklin comes in on six and Hickory on ten.

Franklin is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They won a contest that couldn't have been any closer, slipping by Forest Hills 14-13. The 14-point effort marked the Panthers' lowest-scoring matchup of the season, but in the end it didn't matter.

Addix Sutton

Rushing Yards

11/14/25 vs Forest Hills	97
10/31/25 @ West Henderson	59
10/24/25 vs Smoky Mountain	57
10/10/25 @ North Henderson	45
10/03/25 vs Tuscola	60
+ 11 more games

Franklin's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Addix Sutton, who rushed for 97 yards on only 13 carries, and also picked up 34 receiving yards. That's the most rushing yards Sutton has posted since back in October of 2024.

Sutton was just one part of a punishing run game: Franklin was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 221 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 157 rushing yards every time they've taken the field this season.

Meanwhile, Hickory took their game on Friday with ease, bagging a 45-6 win over Montgomery Central. The Red Tornadoes might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won seven contests by 28 points or more this season.

Franklin's record is now 9-2. As for Hickory, their record now sits at 10-1.