The Franklin Panthers closed the regular season at 14–5 but struggled down the stretch, going 2–3 in their final five contests. Losses to top‐ranked Duxbury (#3), Longmeadow (#2), and King Philip (#9) were understandable against elite opponents, yet Franklin’s time of possession and faceoff consistency dipped in those matchups. As the No. 12 seed in the Division 1 bracket, Franklin will host No. 21 Waltham in the Round of 32. The Hawks finished 12–6 and bring a balanced attack and disciplined defensive structure. Franklin must regain control of the midfield faceoffs to limit Waltham’s transition opportunities and lean on its experienced offense to generate high‐quality looks. Off the ball, the Panthers have offensive weapons at every position, from finesse players who finish in tight to attentive midfielders who jump into the attack. As Franklin shifts focus from regular‐season woes to playoff preparation, mental reset and attention to fundamentals will be essential. If the Panthers can dictate tempo early and win key possessions, they’ll be primed to advance and restore the momentum they enjoyed earlier in the season.
