By: Austin Davis

            The 2009 Franklin Road Academy football season is underway with a winning start.  The Panthers are 2-1 after a season opener loss to Baylor followed by consecutive victories against Riverside Christian and St. Benedicts. 
            The panthers are led by an astounding fourteen seniors who provide excellent leadership.  Seniors Doug Page, Hunter Jackson, Cliff Marshall, and Alex Cate often lead by example to inspire the team.   This leadership is going to be the key to future success by the Panthers in the upcoming season. 
            Senior wide receiver Alex Cate said, “We don’t have many big pep talks before games, but we try and focus internally so that we can be as effective as possible in the game.” 
            The Panthers will be tested a great deal this season especially in the upcoming game on Friday against Knoxville-Webb School.  The Panthers will then face Lancaster Christian on September 26, which is also homecoming.  Then in October, the Panthers will face Zion Christian, Ravenwood, St. Andrews, Donelson Christian Academy, and finally Ezell Harding. 
            The Panthers can hopefully build on the exceptional start and continue their winning ways throughout the rest of the 2009 season.