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After much discussion and planning, Franklin High School launched its first game of the winter sports season on Monday. The boys team went to Cumberland High School and faced off against those Dukes. Happily for them — and us —the Broncos won 45-40, in overtime no less.

While it would have been terrific for the Lady Broncos to have also won their first game that evening, the opponents proved themselves the better players of the night, winning 61-17. But the hosts should not take that defeat as a sign of things to come. Instead, the loss should inspire them to play smarter and harder in the competitions to follow.

We’ll also be following the school’s wrestling team this season as well, and wish them the best.

That Southampton County chose not to participate this season is a decision we respect. Each school division, such as neighboring Isle of Wight, has had to make difficult decisions in both academics and athletics because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to the possibility that life will calm down in the coming weeks and months, and enable a fuller playlist.