MEADVILLE — Franklin County head football coach Anthony Hartknows that expectations are high. He knows the hype is building andthe time is dwindling for his team’s preparations for the 2004season.

Hart’s Bulldogs, the reigning 2003 Region 7-3A Champions, havebeen selected by the region head coaches to repeat as champs.

Franklin County edged Hazlehurst by one vote for top honors inThe DAILY LEADER’s Region 7-3A Preseason Coaches Poll.

“It’s an honor and a compliment to be picked this high,” saidHart. “Usually we are picked in the middle or so. Basically I’drather be number one at the end than in the beginning.”

Hart’s Dawgs established a 6-0 mark last year inside thedistrict, which included a 29-16 victory over Hazlehurst at LouieMullins Memorial Stadium.

“We were very fortunate to beat Hazlehurst last year,” addedHart. “They and the rest of the teams in our division are veryathletic. Every team can beat the other on any given night.”

With 11 seniors returning on the Franklin County roster,district coaches awarded the defending champions four first placevotes for a total of 34 overall points. Hazlehurst received threefirst place votes and 33 points.

“Franklin County returns the most in the whole district,” saidHazlehurst field general Willie Brown. “They have a good coach andstaff that does a good job with their program. They also have(Jasper) O’Quinn coming back as well.”

O’Quinn amassed 1,480 yards on the ground last year as a speedyand elusive running back. He’s expected to make the switch toquarterback this season.

“We’re going to be able to do different things with him(O’Quinn),” continued Hart. “He’s a good athlete and kid.”

Besides O’Quinn, Hart also pointed to the return of the nucleusof offensive linemen as being a helpful strength. Franklinparticipates in an Aug. 20 McLaurin Jamboree, before kicking offthe regular season Aug. 27 against Class 4A power Lawrence Countyin Meadville.

As for Hazlehurst, the Indians face the obstacle of openingtheir season on the road against top-ranked Brookhaven, Aug.27.

“We’ve got another brutal schedule this season,” added Brown.”We lost a lot of our skill players to graduation last year. A lotof young guys are going to have to step it up for us to besuccessful.”

Brown’s Indians reached the third round of the playoffs lastyear, before Forest upended them. Hazlehurst finished the season9-3.

“Opening with Brookhaven will be a test,” continued Brown.”Thankfully, this year we get Franklin County at home. Maybe thatwill mean something.”

Rounding out the Region 7-3A coaches’ predictions were JeffersonCounty in third with 24 overall points, Wilkinson County fourthwith 20 points, and Amite County fifth with 14 points.

Port Gibson and North Pike tied for the doormat position with 12overall points.

“It’s a long season,” said North Pike coach Adam Barron whoseJaguars finished 4-7 last season but made the playoffs, losing an18-12 overtime decision at Collins. “There’s always some surprises,especially in our division, each and every year.”

And, with a vote this close, this year could be noexception.