WNC Sports -- September 23, 2026: Mid-week conference play brought high energy, decisive sweeps, and tough league battles to mountain gymnasiums and pitches across Western North Carolina. Here is the latest rundown of recent final scores, standings, and upcoming fixtures for Haywood County varsity squads.
Volleyball: Lady Bears and Mountaineers Battle Mountain Slate
Franklin 3, Pisgah 1: The Pisgah Lady Bears (7–10, 4–5) went toe-to-toe with unbeaten Franklin (20–0) on Wednesday evening. Pisgah snapped a streak of Panther sweeps by taking the second frame, but Franklin’s offensive firepower took over in the final two sets to close out the match 25–21, 22–25, 25–18, 25–20.
Pisgah 3, Tuscola 0: In the season’s opening Haywood County clash, Pisgah took direct control on the road, sweeping the Tuscola Mountaineers in straight sets (25–17, 25–14, 25–16).
West Henderson 3, Pisgah 0: League-leading West Henderson continued its dominant conference campaign, handing Pisgah a straight-set defeat (25–15, 25–18, 25–16) in Hendersonville.
On the Court Next: The action continues Thursday, September 24, as Pisgah heads back on the road to face West Henderson at 6:00 p.m., while Tuscola travels to Macon County to take on Franklin at 6:00 p.m. Mark your calendars for the county rematch: Pisgah hosts Tuscola in Canton on Tuesday, September 29.
Boys Soccer: Recent Results and County Derby Tonight
Franklin 7, Tuscola 2: The Franklin Panthers set the tempo early Monday night, putting away four first-half goals and holding off Tuscola’s second-half counterattack to take a decisive 7–2 conference win.
Tuscola 1, Smoky Mountain 1: Tuscola’s backline stood tall in Sylva last week, grinding out a physical, double-overtime 1–1 draw against the Smoky Mountain Mustangs.
County Rivalry Showdown Tonight: The marquee Haywood County soccer derby takes center stage tonight, Wednesday, September 23. The Tuscola Mountaineers travel to Canton to clash with the Pisgah Bears, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. Both squads enter hungry to secure vital league points and claim early-season county bragging rights.
Upcoming Boys Soccer Slate
Tuscola at Brevard: The Mountaineers head back on the road to take on the Brevard Blue Devils on Monday, September 28, at 6:45 p.m.
Pisgah Conference Tests: Following tonight’s county clash, the Bears continue league action against Mountain Seven opponents, including upcoming fixtures against North Henderson and Smoky Mountain.
October Playoff Push: The second rotation of conference play begins in early October, setting up key rematches against Franklin and West Henderson, along with the return county derby between Pisgah and Tuscola, which will dictate final seeding for the NCHSAA state playoffs.