TYLERTOWN – Jasper O’Quinn and many of his Franklin Countyteammates had a heavy heart entering Friday night’s Class 3A thirdround playoff game against Tylertown. Afterwards they had anemotional one, as the Bulldogs beat Tylertown in overtime 28-21 tosecure a South State trip back home. O’Quinn and his teammatesdedicated the win to their late classmate and good friend NigelZachary Wentworth.

“This was for Nigel,” proclaimed O’Quinn afterwards. “Forhim.”

O’Quinn and many of the Bulldogs cried before and after thegame. The emotions, they poured out were due to the untimely deathof Wentworth Friday morning at University Medical Center inJackson. The 16-year old sophomore and promising baseball player,died Friday morning around 8:20 from injuries he suffered during anaccident Thursday afternoon at the school’s vocationalbuilding.

“We as a team, just wanted to come out and win this one forNigel,” said O’Quinn who played baseball with Wentworth lastspring. “He was our classmate and our friend.”

The Bulldogs (12-1) played through emotion the entire night.From falling behind early, off a Tony McCray 20-yard run to tyingthe game in the second quarter off an O’Quinn five-yard keeper. TheBulldogs fought grief and the Chiefs.

“We weren’t going to back down,” said Bulldog senior offensivelineman Kyle Tutor. “This game was too big for us to lose. We hadto win it.”

Tutor’s echoed statements were vital, especially after Tylertownentered halftime leading 14-7 off an Eric Cowart five-yard run.Many of the Bulldogs’ heralded seniors stepped up in the secondhalf.

One senior in particular came through when the Dawgs needed itthe most. Running back Deandrea Cameron gave the Dawgs a boost fromone-yard out in the third period. Franklin trailed 14-13, after theChiefs (11-2) blocked a Dane Hodges extra point with 10:13remaining.

Nearly three minutes later, the Chiefs answered Franklin’s scorewith a sneaky quarterback keeper from Tylertown senior RecardoMagee from 19-yards out. Magee faked everyone out, as he went downthe sidelines untouched.

“We got mad after that,” said Cameron. “We wanted this one, sowe came back and got it.”

Cameron rambled 16 yards to paydirt in the fourth quarter togive the Bulldogs another shot. Trailing 21-19, the Bulldogs lookedto O’Quinn for the tie and they got it.

O’Quinn sliced through the Tylertown defense and scored thegame-tying conversion. After both teams traded possessions, theBulldogs ran the clock out to force overtime.

“Once we got into OT, we knew that this was our chance,” addedCameron.

Cameron ran for a yard on the first play of overtime. On thesecond play, O’Quinn was dropped as he tried to pass. Facing thirddown, O’Quinn took the game into his hands, as he scored from 10yards out on a bootleg.

“I just wanted the ball,” added O’Quinn. “It was supposed to bea pass, but I saw something and took it.”

O’Quinn’s touchdown was proceeded by a Hodges extra point kickthat made the score 28-21.

In their overtime possession, Tylertown countered with runs thatgained them a total of five yards in three plays. Facing a crucialfourth and goal from the five, Magee optioned to run the ball andwas stopped by O’Quinn and company three yards short.

The Bulldog sidelines and stands erupted in celebration asplayers, fans, and cheerleaders stood at midfield jumping andchanting “South State, South State!”

“Looking back at Friday, I just think the Lord was with us,”said Bulldog field general Anthony Hart. “Our guys fought throughthe motions of the day and handled the adversity, and played reallywell. I’m proud of them for that.”

Hart’s Dawgs will face West Lauderdale next in Meadville Fridaynight for the Class 3A South State Championship. The winner willearn the right to play for the title in Jackson Saturday, Dec.4.

“West Lauderdale is good,” added Hart who served as head coachof the Knights in 1997. “Their current head coach, Scott McCain,was my offensive coordinator when I was there.”

The game will be Franklin’s second game ever played pastThanksgiving. The Bulldogs hosted South State in 1994. This is thefarthest West Lauderdale has ever been.

“It should be another good one,” continued Hart. “They (WestLauderdale) beat a good Hazlehurst team 9-8 Friday night.”

Offensively Hart’s Dawgs were led by Cameron with 132 yardsrushing on 24 carries and two scores. O’Quinn finished with 75yards on 18 attempts.

For Tylertown, McCray led all rushers with 157 yards on 24carries. Cowart added 77 yards on 10 rushes.

Defensively, Ray Youngblood led the Chiefs with eight tacklesand one interception.

For the Bulldogs’ heavy hitting crew, 6-foot-4, 235-pounddefensive end Marcus Tillman led with seven tackles and two sacks.For the season Tillman has a Class 3A leading 16 sacks.

Bulldog sophomore Gary Rogers added six hits and a fumblerecovery, while Marvin Bridges and Bo Tillman added five tackles.Senior Bulldog cornerback Jonathan Brooks added four hits, twointerceptions, and a pass deflection.