Kim Kenny, the interim athletic director at Franklin High School, told me Friday that the district will appeal NJSIAA second reliagment committees recent ruling to deny it its request to leave the Skyland Conference for the Greater Middlesex Conference. The hearing should take place sometime in May, according to state association executive director Steve Timko.
Franklin has been attempting to leave the Skyland for the GMC since the early 2000s, but the Skyland especially burnt by Hackettstowns quick get-away two years ago is digging in and has refused the Warriors release. The GMC approved Franklins application a couple of years ago.
Kenny said that players and coaches she has polled have all told her that the district is doing the right thing.
Kids from every sport, every gender, every race, Kenny said. I inherited this. I have to know what Im fighting for.
I was more surprised by their common experience in the Skyland, she added. We want to do whats best for the kids.
One of the biggest issues Kenny said for Franklins persistence is the time it takes to travel. The average round trip for Franklin to get to a an away football game is 70 miles in football, while it would be 53 in the GMC; 68.5 for wrestling, 53 in the GMC and 55 in soccer opposed to 50 for GMC opponents.
Weve done all of our homework, she said.

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