SUMRALL — As the clock ticked so did the state playoff dramaFriday night as the Franklin County Bulldogs left northern LamarCounty with a hard-fought, 21-3 victory over the cat-scratchingBobcats.

Franklin County (9-2) will play host to Morton in the secondround of the Class 3A State Playoffs Friday in Meadville’s LouieMullins Memorial Stadium. Game time has been set for 7.

“I’m glad this one is over,” said FC Bulldogs head coach GradyMcCluskey. “I’m happy we won and that we’re advancing to the nextround.”

Eleven penalties for a combined 125 yards between the two teamsnearly set off some late fourth quarter drama, but the Bulldogswould not be baited into Sumrall’s tactics of frustration. FC leftthe game with 13 first downs overall, while being penalized 7 timesfor 90 yards. Sumrall could only manage a mere 5 first downs theentire game and was flagged 3 times for 35 yards during the finalseconds of the contest which ended the Bobcats season at 5-6overall and eliminated them from playoff contention.

The Bulldogs, aided by a smash-mouth defense anchored by seniordefensive end Josh Tillman, gave Sumrall’s offense fits the entirenight. Tillman registered 10 tackles, three QB hurries, two passdeflections, and recovered a fumble to stop a key fourth quarterdrive by the Bobcats.

“Getting that fumble was big,” said Tillman after the game. “I wastrying to take it to the house. Defense played hard.”

Led by an early 6-yard TD scamper by Jordan Hunt in the firstquarter, FC took a 7-0 lead and never relinquished it.

Sumrall junior kicker Ryan Knight connected on a 24-yard field goallate in the quarter to cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 7-3.

FCHS would add to its lead in the second period. QB Jamie Collinsran 24 yards on a draw play to score the momentum-turningtouchdown. Junior kicker Jace Carlock added the PAT to give FC a14-3 advantage heading into the half.

In the second half, the Bulldogs defense turned it up a notch withbig hits from Carlos Johnson, Milton Griffin, Bo Tillman, and VanStarks. Johnson produced a lightning strike of a hit on the Sumrallsidelines to Bobcat QB Ethan Applewhite to get the Franklin Countyfaithful buzzing.

Jordan Hunt added his second touchdown of the night in the fourthframe as he danced into the end zone from 8 yards out. Carlock’sPAT gave the Bulldogs the final margin of victory.

“We’ve got to start preparing for the next game now,” saidMcCluskey. “We’ve got to stop making mistakes, especiallypenalties.”

The Bulldogs got 130 yards rushing from Collins on 14 carries. Healso added a touchdown. Jordan Hunt finished with 17 carries for120 yards and two scores.

For Sumrall, sophomore fullback Kedric Wolfe carried the ball fourtimes for 67 yards. Applewhite finished the game with eight carriesfor 27 yards, and was 4-of-10 through the air for 35 yards.

On defense, FC Bulldogs Bobby O’Quinn, JordanHunt, and Bo Tillman finished with seven tackles apiece. Van Starksand Carlos Johnson added six hits. Senior linebacker Garcia Vaughnhad five hits and a pass deflection.