Franklin Lions look forward to declawing Leopards in week 3
Dennis Phillips publisher@robconews.com Robertson County News FRANKLIN — The Franklin Lions will look to get back on track Friday when they travel to face the Lorena Leopards in a non-district showdown scheduled for Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Franklin (0-1) enters the matchup still searching for its first win of the 2025 season after a 42-28 setback in the opener against China Spring. The Lions have scored 28 points and allowed 42 through one contest, leaving them eager to establish momentum before district play begins. Lorena (1-1) comes in with mixed results from its first two games. The Leopards notched one early victory but stumbled in their last outing, evening their overall record. Statistical projections favor Lorena by a 43-28 margin, but Franklin has a history of turning forecasts into motivation. The Lions’ offense showed flashes of explosiveness in Week 1, with 14 points in both the first and third quarters of their opener. However, defensive adjustments will be critical to slow Lorena’s balanced attack. Franklin will need to close gaps on big plays while leaning on its rushing strength to control tempo and field position. On paper, Franklin ranks among the tougher small-school programs in Texas, holding a national mark of 450, a state rank of 73, and a sectional placement of 20. Lorena enters the matchup looking to build confidence, but the Leopards have struggled to find consistency in the second half of games. The contest offers Franklin a chance to reset its early season narrative. A victory on the road would move the Lions to 1-1 and provide momentum heading into their next non-district test against Celina on Sept. 19. The Bobcats (3-0) are coming off a convincing 38-7 win over Gunter, making Franklin’s next stretch even more pivotal. For Franklin, it’s a chance to find rhythm and confidence before district play; for Lorena, it’s an opportunity to climb above .500 and reinforce early-season progress. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday in Lorena.
Kellen Bowser #11 making a tackle for the Eagles
Hearne comes up short in tight battle with Burton
Dennis Phillips publisher@robconews.com Robertson County News BURTON — In a Friday night showdown that came down to the final possessions, the Hearne Eagles dropped a hard-fought 27-25 non-district decision to the Burton Panthers. The loss leaves Hearne at 0-2 on the season, while Burton improved to 2-0. The matchup proved to be a test of resilience for both squads, with Hearne hanging tough against a Burton team that entered the contest riding high after its season-opening victory. The Eagles matched the Panthers score for score, pushing the game into a fourth-quarter nail-biter before falling just short of their first win of the season. Hearne’s offense showed flashes of its potential, tallying 25 points and finding rhythm against a seasoned Burton defense. Through two games, the Eagles have scored 37 points while allowing 59, numbers that underscore the growing pains of a team still searching for its breakthrough. Despite the setbacks, Hearne remains positioned first in its district standings, with district play yet to begin. Burton, meanwhile, leaned on its home-field advantage to hold off the Eagles, securing its second straight victory. The Panthers will next face Schulenburg, which carries a 1-1 record after a narrow 36-29 loss to Rogers. Burton’s balanced attack and defensive stops in key moments made the difference as the Panthers held off Hearne’s late push. For Hearne, the schedule offers little time to regroup. The Eagles now turn their attention to a road matchup against Brazos Christian on Friday, September 12. The Bryan-based Eagles enter the contest at 2-0, most recently rolling to a 59-17 win over Hill Country Christian of Austin. The game will provide another stern non-district test for Hearne, but also a chance to reset before heading into district competition. While the Eagles are winless, the season remains young, and with district play still ahead, every snap offers valuable preparation for games that will decide postseason fate. The effort in Burton showed Hearne’s ability to compete against strong opponents, a promising sign as the Eagles search for their first victory of the fall.
Robertson County’s PreK and Kindergarten flag football players showed off their energy and teamwork in a weekend matchup, giving fans a glimpse of the community’s youngest athletes in action. The program continues to grow as families gather weekly to cheer on future players learning the game’s fundamentals.
Submitted Photo | Robertson County News
Calvert Trojans keep charging despite rough start
Roy McCoy roy@robconews.com Robertson County News CALVERT — The Calvert Trojans ran into a tough night Friday at Wilkerson Field, falling 57-12 to Burkeville and dropping to 0-2 on the season. The Trojans got behind early and couldn’t find enough momentum to catch up. Still, there were moments that showed the team’s heart and determination. Players fought for every yard, and the coaches were constantly encouraging the team to keep pushing, even when the scoreboard wasn’t in their favor. Despite the loss, Calvert will turn its attention to next week’s road game at San Marcos Academy. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday, and the Trojans will be looking to put the lessons from the first two games to work and finally get a win for their fans. It’s been a rough start, but the focus in Calvert remains on staying tough and learning from these early-season tests. The players know there’s work to be done on both sides of the ball, and the coaches are confident the team can improve if they stay disciplined and play together. Fans can expect the Trojans to give everything they have on the field each week, hoping to turn early setbacks into experience and momentum for the rest of the season. Even with the early losses, the spirit around the team and in the community remains strong, and there’s hope that the team will find its footing soon.
