MEADVILLE – As turnovers go, both Franklin County coach GradyMcCluskey and Collins coach Bruce Merchant agree that whoever makesthe fewest will win Friday night’s Class 3A South State semifinalclash between the Bulldogs and Tigers.

Franklin County travels to Collins for a 7 p.m. meeting. In theother Class 3A South State semifinal, defending Class 3A statechampion Hazlehurst plays host to Southeast Lauderdale.

In the North semifinals, Ripley (10-2) is at Booneville (8-4)and Nettleton (12-0) is at Charleston (9-3), the 2005 staterunner-up.

“It’s going to come down to who doesn’t make the mistakes,” saidMerchant. “We’ve got to be ready to play.”

Collins (9-3) shook up the Class 3A playoff brackets last weekwith a convincing 24-7 victory at number one seed Yazoo County. TheTigers got two touchdowns from senior quarterback Maurice Owens(6-3, 205) in last week’s win. One through the air, and the otheron the ground.

“We can’t afford to turn the ball over or make penalties,” addsMerchant. “We’ve got to control the clock and the ball.”

Running back Jonathan Booth, a 6-foot, 215-pound senior, pacesthe Collins offense. For the season, Booth has rushed for 1,117yards. He is complimented by senior Jamaire Keys in thebackfield.

“They have some good athletes,” said McCluskey. “We’ve just gotto come ready to play and not turn the ball over.”

The Bulldogs (11-1) survived a scare last week against Carthage,winning 14-13 in Meadville. Franklin County overcame three costlysecond half fumbles and nearly 100 yards in penalties to moveon.

“We dodged a bullet,” said McCluskey about last week’s game.

Carthage missed a 40-yard field goal with 0:02 remaining to givethe Bulldogs the win.

Senior running back Preston Griffith rushed for 140 yards and atouchdown in the victory. Jordan Hunt ran 2 yards for afourth-quarter TD and Jace Carlock kicked both extra points.

Bulldog senior linebacker Gary Rogers made 10 stops andcollected a crowd-pleasing, one-handed interception deep inCarthage’s territory during the third frame.

For the season, Rogers has 100 tackles, four interceptions,three sacks, and two fumble recoveries. Senior defensive endBrandon Collins has 13 quarterback sacks, while junior defensiveend Josh Tillman has 60 hits and 10 sacks.

“Franklin County’s defense is impressive,” said Merchant. “Theyhave a lot of talent.”

The three Collins losses this season came at the hands ofRaleigh (3A), West Jones (4A), and Terry (4A). The Bulldogs’ onlyloss was a 41-35 result at Class 5A Natchez in September.

“Everybody’s pretty good from here on out,” added Merchant. “Itsjust going to come down to who wants it most.”

The winner of the FCHS/Collins game will face the survivor ofthe Hazlehurst/SE Lauderdale contest in the South StateChampionship next week. A Franklin County win Friday night wouldgive the Bulldogs an opportunity to host South State next week.

“We’ve got a lot to play for,” said McCluskey. “We’ve got tocome ready Friday night.”

BULLDOG BITES: The last time the Bulldogs and Tigers clashed wasin the 2000 regular season. Collins won that contest 14-6. TheTigers collected back-to-back Class 3A titles in 2001 and 2002. TheBulldogs haven’t been this far in the Class 3A playoffs since2004.