McCluskey’s title time arrives at Franklin Co.

Published 6:00 am Wednesday, January 3, 2007

MEADVILLE — Franklin County football coach Grady McCluskey knewthat with a little time, things would be just fine.

After going 6-4 in 2005, McCluskey regrouped his troops for amagical run in 2006. It took hard work, dedication, and some longhours, but in the end the Bulldogs made it to the top of the Class3A ladder, winning the 2006 3A State Championship, 23-13 overNettleton, and going a school-best record 14-1 overall.

“We had a great year,” said McCluskey. “It was amazing.”

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For his accomplishments, McCluskey has been named The DAILYLEADER’s All-Area Coach of the Year. He and Mitch Mitchell of ClassAA state champion Copiah Academy share the honor.

“It’s an honor to be named Coach of the Year,” said McCluskey.”I had a good staff and some good players this year. You don’t winwithout good people around you.”

McCluskey, who also was honored as Class 3A Coach of the Year bythe Mississippi Association of Coaches and Division 7-3A Coach ofthe Year, guided the Bulldogs to their best record in schoolhistory. Franklin County went 6-0 inside the division for the firsttime since 2003, and won 11 straight to end the season. Their onlyloss was a 41-35 road game at Natchez.

“I worked a lot harder this year as a coach, than I did when Iwon a state championship as a player,” said McCluskey, whoquarterbacked West Point High School to the Class 4A title in1987.

“I can now take off my West Point ring and put on my FranklinCounty one,” adds McCluskey.

With help from his always hard-working staff of assistants inD.C. Tadlock, Tony Gibbs, Jeremy Loy, Rickey O’Quinn, Charles Mooreand Brent Calcote, FCHS stayed with the plan and won big in theend.

Year-long weight training, 7-on-7 passing and skill drillsduring the summer helped pave the way for McCluskey’s unit. A hardworker by trade, McCluskey installed the “Never Give Up” attitudein his Bulldogs this season.

Franklin County won numerous games this year, during the finalseconds. Fate and hard work paid off for the Bulldogs. They kickedoff their season with a thrilling overtime win at Brookhaven.

“I don’t know what it was this season, but we found ways towin,” said McCluskey. “These kids almost gave me a heart attack atime or two this year.”

The Bulldogs will graduate 13 seniors off their Class 3A StateChampionship team. McCluskey and the Bulldogs plan to start work ona repeat bid in the spring.

“We are going to have the bull’s-eye on our back now,” saidMcCluskey. “All state champions do.”

Between now and the spring, McCluskey intends to spend time withhis family, his wife (Paula) and son Nicholas, age 4; plus clean uphis office and make room for all the state championship memorabiliahe now possesses.