BOGUE CHITTO – Denard Ferguson made the plays and DominiqueAddison produced the yards, as the Bogue Chitto Bobcats sentshockwaves though the state by upending Class 3A Franklin County22-17 Friday night in front of a packed house at Troy SmithField.

“This was one of the biggest victories we’ve had since I’ve beenhere.” said Bogue Chitto head coach Carl Cole. “We came backdespite trailing 17-6 at one point. We really took a giant step asa program tonight.”

One giant step the Bobcats took came at the 4:04 mark of thefourth quarter. The Cats faced a critical fourth and nine, andchose to punt. The bad snap from senior Cody Wallace to Addisonappeared to equal the Bulldogs a momentum turning safety.

Instead, the Bulldogs were penalized for having 12 men on thefield. That wiped out the safety and brought the Bobcats a firstdown as their drive continued.

“That was the turning point for us,” said Cole. “That playchanged the game’s whole outlook.”

The Bobcats continued their one-two punch down the field asAddison and Ferguson hauled in back-to-back first downs. But, aftera three yard loss by Addison on third and six on the Bulldog 38,the Bobcats faced another fourth down play with 1:03 to go.

The Bulldogs (1-1) expected the Bobcats to pass, but instead theCats sent senior quarterback Jacob Leggett around the right sidefor a 37 yard Bulldog mind blower. The Bobcats then used the leftside of the field on first and goal, for a four yard touchdownplunge by Ferguson. After a three yard run by Leggett on the PAT,the Bobcats posted a 22-17 lead.

The Dawgs looked for a miracle at the end, but a Colby Beachpass intended for Byron Brooks fell into Ferguson’s hands. Fergusonquickly dropped down and the Bobcats ran out the rest of the clock.It was Bogue Chitto’s night to celebrate!

In the first quarter, on their first drive the Cats went 76yards in ten plays, capping off a 35 yard pass and catch fromLeggett to Ferguson. Ferguson looked to be down at first on theBulldog 20 yard line, but the officials gave him a break and theBulldogs a surprise that resulted in a 6-0 Bobcat lead.

After that it was all Franklin. The Bulldogs used James Hunt andJon Hickingbottom for back to back touchdowns in the second quarterfor a quick 14-6 halftime lead. The Dawgs kept the pace up in thethird quarter, as sophomore Chris Blackwell connected on a 42-yardfield goal, making it 17-6. At the moment the Dawgs appeared to beon their way to victory. But the Bobcats had other intentions inmind.

After the Bobcat comeback, a celebration of Bogue Chitto playersand fans erupted. Many fans stormed the field and some stayed fornearly an hour after the game had ended.

“We were very excited that we won,” continued Cole. “Beating oneof the traditional Class 3A teams is huge. Franklin County’s one ofthose teams that is always tough.”

The Bobcats were led by Addison’s 127 yards and one touchdown on20 carries. Ferguson produced nine carries for 89 yards and onescore.

Through the air Leggett was 3-14 for 72 yards and one touchdown.Ferguson led the receiving lines with two receptions for 39 yardsand one score.

For the Dawgs, Tommie Smith led the rushing attack with 67 yardson six carries. Hickingbottom and sophomore Cecil Kinzie eachcollected 10 carries for 54 yards.

Defensively, the Dawgs were led by Hunt with 15 tackles.Sophomore defensive end Donald Ray Hunt had eight tackles and twosacks. Clint Herring recorded five tackles and onedeflection

For the Bobcats, Addison led the way with nine tacklesand a sack. Ferguson and Wallace each had four tackles and aninterception.

The Bobcats resume play Friday night at Class 2A powerRichton. The Bulldogs will be hosting Loyd Star. Kickoff times areset for 7:30.

@Bbstandings:

STATISTICS

FC

BC

First Downs

14

9

Rushes-Yards

43-193

44-262

Passing Yards

60

74

Total Yards

253

336

Passes

2-7-2

3-14-0

Fumbles-Lost

4-2

2-1

Penalties-Yards

6-45

6-40

Franklin Co.

0

14

3

0 – 17

Bogue Chitto

6

0

8

8 – 22

FIRST QUARTER

Bogue Chitto, Ferguson 35 pass from Leggett (kick failed),9:55.

SECOND QUARTER

Franklin Co., Hunt 2 run (Blackwell kick), 10:42.

Franklin Co., Hickingbottom 10 run (Blackwell kick), 4:32.

THIRD QUARTER

Franklin Co., Blackwell 42 kick, 5:53.

Bogue Chitto, Addison 11 run (Ferguson run), 1:14.

FOURTH QUARTER

Bogue Chitto, Ferguson 4 run (Leggett run), :41.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING : Franklin Co., Smith 6-67, Hickingbottom 10-54, Kinzie10-54, Brown 4-13, Brooks 1-10, Hunt 1-2, Beach 1-(-7). BogueChitto, Addison 20-127, Ferguson 9-89, Leggett 7-25, J. Wallace6-24.

PASSING : Franklin Co., Beach 2-7-2, 60. Bogue Chitto, Leggett3-14-0, 72.

RECEIVING : Franklin Co., Smith 1-48, Brooks 1-12. Bogue Chitto,Ferguson 2-39, C. Wallace 1-33.