MEADVILLE – Hard work is paying off for Franklin County juniorrunningback Jasper O’Quinn and his Bulldog teammates.

Franklin County (1-1) whipped Terry last Friday night, poweredby O’Quinn’s 19 carries for 177 yards.

For his accomplishments, O’Quinn has been named The DAILYLEADER’s Offensive Player of the Week for the second week of the2003 football campaign.

‘That’s a great honor being named Player of the Week,” saidO’Quinn. “It’s a good honor.”

O’Quinn is the younger brother of former Franklin Countybasketball standout Rick O’Quinn who is a senior at Belhaven thisseason.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder also is blessed with talent besides agood work ethic. In the 40-yard dash, O’Quinn has recorded a timeof 4.51. He bench presses 220 pounds, squats 350 and power clears220.

“Jasper is a good running back,” said Franklin County head coachAnthony Hart. “He practices hard. He prepares hard and he playshard. He’s a good person also.”

O’Quinn felt he improved in the win over Terry last Friday. “Iplayed a lot better than the week before (against Lawrence County).I gave it my best. I look to my line. They did all the work.”

Hart also saw improvement in O’Quinn’s performance.

“Friday night I was impressed by him,” explained Hart. “He madesome good reads and some good cuts when the hole wasn’t in theright place. He has improved his speed a lot since last year.”

O’Quinn thanked and listed his starting offensive line. Theyinclude sophomore tackle Emanuel Muhammad (6-2, 290), senior guardLarry Hall (5-10, 250), junior center Jake Buckels (6-0, 275),junior guard Kyle Tutor (6-0, 260) and senior tackle Chris Brown(6-1, 285).

“We run a double wing,” added O’Quinn of the offensivescheme.

O’Quinn and the Bulldogs have set the ultimate goal this season,a 3A state championship. “Our goal is to win the statechampionship. We’re working hard and we’ll keep working hard.”

Personally, O’Quinn would like a big ring on his finger. “Iwould love to get a championship ring.”

Franklin plays its first home game of the season in LouieMullins Stadium Friday night against the undefeated Loyd StarHornets. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

“I think they (Loyd Star) are a pretty good team,” said O’Quinn.”We can’t take them lightly. We have to come to play everydown.”

O’Quinn plays almost every sport at Franklin County. “We don’tget him back in the weight room until after baseball season.” addedHart. He plays guard for the basketball team and centerfielder forthe baseball squad.

In the classroom, O’Quinn is hard-working student, too. Hisfavorite subject is English.

O’Quinn is a fan of the Mississippi State Bulldogs. His favoriteNFL player is Charles Wooden of the Oakland Raiders.

“I’d like to thank my teammates,” added O’Quinn. “They came outto play. I’d like to thank the whole defensive team. We were pickedlow in the polls and we’re looking forward to proving themwrong.”