MEADVILLE – Executing on all cylinders, the Franklin CountyBulldogs blasted the Wilkinson County Wildcats 47-0 Friday night atLouie Mullins Memorial Stadium to wrap up their second shutout ofthe season.

Franklin County (8-1, 5-0) will play host to Tylertown Fridaynight for the Region 7-3A championship.

“We played well, but we could have done better in spots,” saidBulldog head coach Grady McCluskey. “We had a few starters sit thisone out with injuries. But they should be back next week.”

The Bulldogs celebrated Homecoming 2006 without the services offour starters who missed the contest with minor injuries. FranklinCounty’s defense held Wilkinson County (0-8, 0-5) to a total ofthree first downs and 61 yards total offense.

“Defense played good,” added McCluskey. “They are going to haveto be ready for next week’s game.”

Gary Rogers, one of Franklin High’s top seniors, scored theBulldogs’ first touchdown of the game off a 14-yard pass receptionfrom sophomore quarterback Jamie Collins.

Franklin’s Jordan Hunt added the Bulldogs’ second score in thefirst quarter from 20-yards out to make the score 14-0 Bulldogsafter sophomore kicker Jace Carlock added the extra pointattempt.

In the second quarter, Hunt scored from two yards out to givethe Bulldogs a 21-0 lead. Workhorse tailback Preston Griffith, a6-foot-1, 215-pound senior, added Franklin County’s last score ofthe first half from six-yards out on a tackle-breaking run.Griffith ran for 130 yards on 14 carries in the first halfalone.

“I challenged Preston before the game,” said McCluskey. “He ranhard tonight. He’s going to run harder next week againstTylertown.”

After a Collins 15-yard scoring jaunt in the third quarter,which gave the Bulldogs a 34-0 lead, McCluskey sent in his youngerreserves into the game to give his starters a much neededhomecoming rest.

Alex Smith, Franklin County’s multi-talented 6-1, 180-poundsophomore running back, gave the Bulldogs a 41-0 lead off a 16-yardtouchdown run.

Sophomore Issac Jones added the finishing touches for theBulldogs in the fourth period with a touchdown plunge from fiveyards out.

“This was a good game for us,” said Franklin County’s 6-6,305-pound monster defensive tackle Bo Tillman after the contest.”Everybody got to play tonight. It was fun.”

Tillman had a team-high seven tackles, with three hits going forlosses. Gary Rogers finished with six tackles and a fumblerecovery. Senior cornerback Greg Hunt added five hits and two passdeflections, while sophomore Tyler Stacy finished with two tacklesand a sack.

On offense, Smith finished with 90 yards on seven carries with ascore. He had 127 all-purpose yards. Jordan Hunt added 47 yards andtwo touchdowns on seven rushing attempts.

Collins was 3-for-5 through the air for 82 yards and atouchdown. On the ground the signal caller had 52 yards rushing anda score on two carries.