SUMMIT — For a quarter, the Franklin County Bulldogs got thechallenge they were looking for and they answered. After being heldscoreless in the first quarter this season, the Bulldogs answeredwith a resounding 47-point explosion and a 47-0 shutout of the hostNorth Pike Jaguars. Franklin held North Pike to 63 yards of totaloffense.

“We played tough tonight,” said Bulldog field general AnthonyHart. “Our defense really stepped up big for us.”

The Franklin County defense ambushed the Jaguars with punishingblows that disabled North Pike’s offense for the entire contest.Franklin used some eye-popping licks from its junior-laden defenseto set the tone early and often against the Jags. Linebackers D.J.Shaw, Andrew Smith, Casey Hammack, and defensive end Marcus Tillmanapplied the punishment.

“Give North Pike credit. They played us tough, especially in thefirst half,” added Hart. “They gave us some problems.”

North Pike’s game plan of keeping the Bulldogs’ multi-talentedoffense off the field worked for only a quarter. The Jaguars (0-5,0-2) watched the Bulldog scoring machine reboot in the secondframe, as senior running back Deandrea Cameron scored on runs of 11and 8 yards for a quick 14-0 advantage. Sophomore fullback GaryRogers added a 15-yard tackle-breaker to give the visitors a 20-0edge heading into the half.

“Offensively we stepped up,” continued Hart. “Our running backsran hard and strong.”

After the break, the Bulldogs looked to their senior leader inquarterback Jasper O’Quinn for a seven-yard touchdown. Bulldogsophomore kicker Dane Hodges added the PAT, for the 27-0 Franklinlead.

The Bulldogs (5-0, 1-0) added a three-run jog by Cameron and apair of five-yard scoring runs from reserves Jonte’ Marshall andJay Bailey for the finishing touches on the contest. Many of theBulldog running backs thanked their blockers for the helpafterwards as well.

“The Bulldog Blocking Crew,” made up of seniors Kyle Tutor,Brandon Pedigo, Jake Buckels, junior Emmanuel Muhammad, andsophomore Andrew Williams, opened holes and lanes for a majority ofthe 321 yards the Bulldogs amassed on the ground.

“We can not get satisfied, said Hart. “We’ve got a strongJefferson County team coming here for homecoming next week, so wemust continue to stay focus. We’re only as good as each game wehave played.”

Hart’s modest crew was led offensively by Cameron with 90 yardson 17 carries. He also scored three touchdowns. Rogers added 11carries for 68 yards, while O’Quinn finished with eight carries for52 yards.

For Coach Adam Barron’s North Pike squad, Jeremy Morris led theJaguars with six carries for 31 yards.

Defensively the Jags got seven tackles and a pass deflectionfrom senior safety Chase Coon.

For the Dawgs, Shaw led with 10 stops and a fumble recovery.Hammack added nine hits, while Tillman and Smith registered sixtackles. Preston Griffin and Charles Felton each gathered aninterception.

Franklin County next plays Jefferson County for Homecoming 2004in Meadville. Kickoff is 7:30.