MEADVILLE – Franklin County football general Grady McCluskeybelieves in improvement and come Thursday afternoon he hopes hisFranklin County Bulldogs can take step one in improving off lastyear’s 6-4 finish in the Cellular South Spring Football Jamboree atMeadville’s Louie Mullins Memorial Stadium.

Actions starts at 4 with Franklin County playing McComb andNorth Pike playing South Pike in split field play. The 7-teamscrimmage will conclude at 10.

“This will be a good chance for a lot people around the area tosee some good football,” said McCluskey about the jamboree. “A lotof teams will find out what they have in the fall.”

The Bulldogs will play three games in the jamboree, startingwith McComb at 4, and followed rival Jefferson County at 7, andWilkinson County at 8:30.

“It will give us a preview of what we’ve got,” added McCluskey.”It will also help some of our younger players with game timeexperience.”

McCluskey, who is assisted by Jeremy Loy, Tony Gibbs, CharlesMoore, Ricky O’Quinn, and Brent Calcote will be fielding a youngteam. The Bulldogs will be replacing nine starters, includingdefensive end/tight end Marcus Tillman (Ole Miss signee), offensivelineman Emmanuel Muhammad (Jackson State signee), fullback D.J.Shaw (Co-Lin signee), linebacker Casey Hammack (Co-Lin signee), andquarterback Jonte Marshall (Co-Lin signee).

“We have to fill some holes,” said McCluskey. “This will give usa chance to see what we have on the field.”

Several Division One and Two college coaches are expected to beat the jamboree. McCluskey said he expects assistants fromMississippi State, Ole Miss, USM, Jackson State, and even LSU to beat the games scouting the talent and eye balling South Pikereceiver Derek Ross and Franklin County safety Mike Hunt.

“There should be a lot of college coaches here,” continuedMcCluskey. “I know a lot of schools are looking at that guy fromSouth Pike (Ross) and at Mike Hunt as well.”

Wilkinson County, McComb, Jefferson County, South Pike, NorthPike, Amite County, and Franklin will take part in the 7-teamjamboree.

South Pike, which finished last season 12-1 and Class 3A SouthState runners up to state champion Hazlehurst will play North Pikeand Wilkinson County. The Eagles are coached by RandallHuffman.

North Pike, which is coached by Adam Barron will also play twogames, beginning with South Pike at 4 and followed by McComb at5:30.

“Expect six hours of non stop football,” added McCluskey. “Itshould be great weather and a good time for all involved.”