BUDE – As senior night goes, the Franklin County Bulldogs waitedand waited for something good to happen. And when it did, anunderclassman stepped up in a big way. The Dawgs overwhelmed BogueChitto 4-3.

Junior DH Brandon Halford knew the stakes were high as hisBulldog team was down 3-0 to the visiting Bogue Chitto Bobcatsuntil he broke their backs and a Scott Edwards fast ball for athree-run home run. Halford’s blast , his second of the season,went an estimated 360 feet before decking a few pine trees in eightfield. Halford said he felt nothing when he hit it until after hesaw it clear the fence and in to the boundary lines of thehistorical Franklin County Swamp.

“It felt good,” said Halford about the tying blast. “We played as a team and we won as a team tonight. This was just a full teameffort that helped us get the job done.”

Halford, a 6-0, 250-pound junior from Eddiceton, gave the Dawgsthe much needed momentum to comeback and win after allowing theBobcats (11-5) a 3-0 lead.

“Brandon’s hit was big,” said Bulldog head coach Ed Zumbro Jr.”He came through when we needed it. Overall, we snatched victoryfrom the jaws of defeat.”

The Bobcats scored all three of their runs in the third asLeggett, Brian Wallace and Scott Edwards scored off errors and apast ball. The Bobcats and Bulldogs (24-8) came into the thirddeadlocked at zero.

“It was a good ball game,” said Bogue Chitto head coach CarlCole. “We hate to be on the losing end but Franklin County did whatit took to win. They just made the plays at the end.”

The Bulldogs took the game-winning lead in the seventh whensophomore Will Buckels singled in sophomore teammate Chase Evansfrom third. As Evans crossed homeplate, the Bulldog bench eruptedin an uproar of celebration.

“We needed this one to give us momentum heading into theplayoffs,” added Zumbro. “We’ve just got to continue to take onegame at time because its a whole new ball game now.”

The Bulldogs will host Region 8-3A runner up Greene CountyThursday night at 7 p.m. Game two will be Friday night at 7 inLeaksville.”Green County’s good,” continued Zumbro. “We’ve just gotto stay focused and play our best.”

Before the game. Nine of the Bulldogs famed seniors were honoredwith roses to give to the parents and favorite people over theyears. The ceremony also included the retirement and dedication offormer head coach Johnny Monroe. His famed No. 27 was retired andgiven to Monroe at the reception.

Despite the heartful reception at the beginning for the Dawgs,Bogue Chitto had one of their own at the end. The receptionfeatured head coach Carl Cole hugging every Bobcat player at theend. Cole will be leaving Bogue Chitto in June for an assistantcoaching position at Johnson High School in Gainesville, Georgia.He served as head football and baseball coach for the Bobcats thisseason.

“I’m going to miss Bogue Chitto,” said Cole. “I’ve had a greattime here, but I will be back to visit family and friends. BogueChitto will always be a special place for me.”

Powering Franklin with a single apiece were Cliff Herring, ClintHerring, Vance Windom and Buckels.

Bogue Chitto got a single from Todd Davis and Leggett.

In the junior varsity game, Franklin won 10-1, off a no-hitterfrom freshman Baron Jones. Jones issued three strikeouts for theDawgs.