JACKSON — It felt like Christmas Eve.

Hundreds of smiling faces filled the conference room Monday atthe Mississippi Sports Museum and Hall of Fame. The 16th AnnualMHSAA Media Day, featuring representatives of the 10 schoolsplaying for football state championships this weekend, had gatheredfor this event.

“You know what you are playing for…a state championship,” saidMHSAA Executive Director Dr. Ennis Proctor in his welcomingaddress. “You are already champions. You’ve won either the North orSouth state titles.”

Franklin County head coach Grady McCluskey had directed hisBulldogs to an impressive 21-7 victory over defending Class 3Astate champion Hazlehurst last Friday night in Meadville.Certainly, he was proud to be in Jackson yesterday.

Obviously, Franklin County’s football team is a source of strongcommunity pride. Fans from all corners of the county had filledLouie Mullins Memorial Stadium to cheer for their beloved Bulldogslast Friday night. A crowd approaching 4,000 watched the game.

Franklin County superindent of education Lona B. Thomas wasamong the school’s representatives. Her face beamed with pride.

“We have a great team and a great coaching staff,” said Thomas.”They really brought it all together this season. We are proud ofthem.”

Thomas grinned and admitted her partiality. “I’m a football fan.I’ve been following them for many years. Our community follows theteam: win, lose or draw. They have put forth a team effort to getus this far.”

Franklin County principal M.D. Bilbo is an enthusiasticsupporter of the Bulldogs, too.

“I’m excited for our football team,” said Bilbo. “We have beenlooking to get back,” to the state championship game. The Bulldogslast reached the state finals in 1994, losing to Amory.

According to Bilbo, the entire school is affected by thefootball team’s success. “Any time you have a good sports program,football, basketball or baseball; the school year goes better.”

Bilbo said he hopes a huge group of FCHS fans will follow theBulldogs to Saturday’s title game against Nettleton. Kickoff is 3p.m. in Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our kids,” saidBilbo. “In Class 3A, the competition is really tough.”

Weather warning: Due to an approaching coldfront, fans should take blankets, wear two pairs of socks, plusthermal underwear to maintain warmth. Don’t forget your gloves andhat.

Notice: Forget about kicking back in yourrecliner and watching the state championship games on television.,For the first time in four years, the games won’t be television,due to the lack of a major sponsor.

Buy your tickets early and help Franklin County. Admission is$12 at the gate but tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 atthe school office. Most importantly, advance tickets will see 50percent of the sales go to FCHS.

This year the North champions are the designated home teams andwill sit on the press box side of the stadium. In other words,Franklin County folks will sit on the north side of the field.Ample parking is available on that side, too.

Proctor said no video cameras would be allowed in the stands.The games are being filmed and copies will be available at a laterdate, through the respective schools.

Good news: FCHS senior center Sam Moore waspresent for the conference, along with linebackers Mike Hunt andGary Rogers. Moore wore a metal brace on his left knee, helpingsupport a strained ligament.

Last Friday night it was feared that Moore had torn his ACL. Inother words, Moore will be able to play Saturday againstNettleton.

His father, Charles Moore, works as offensive line coach on theFCHS staff and relays plays to quarterback Jamie Collins, fromoffensive coordinator Jeremy Loy who coaches out of the pressbox.

Coach Moore looked at his son’s knee and smiled. “It must be inthe genes.”

Sam’s older sister, Lindsey, had six ACL surgeries during herhigh school basketball career in South Carolina, three on eachknee.

Hunt, a senior linebacker who has committed to MississippiState, said he was happy to be in the state title game. “I’ve beentrying to get here my whole career. It feels good.”

For sure, his teammates agree with him.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS, 39602, or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com