MAGNOLIA – Franklin County head coach Rickey O’Quinn Jr. knewhis team needed a spark. Milton Griffin provided it as the Bulldogsbroke a two-game losing streak with a 20-6 victory over SouthPike.

“This is a big win for us,” said O’Quinn. “Milton stepped uptonight.”

Griffin, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound playmaker for the Dawgs, accountedfor 201 all-purpose yards including a 91-yard kickoff return for aTD to open the game. Griffin added a 50-yard TD scamper in thethird quarter to give the Dawgs a 14-point cushion. He also madetwo tackles and an interception on defense.

Franklin County (2-2) plays host to 2A powerhouse Taylorsville(3-0) Friday night in Meadville at 7:30. Taylorsville is currentlyranked No.1 in Class 2A.

After losing back to back games to 5A forces Brookhaven and McComb,the Bulldogs gave winless South Pike (0-3) more than they couldhandle with a steady running game that included big plays fromGriffin and senior Billy Norman, who scored a 3-yard touchdownseconds before halftime. It gave the Dawgs a 12-6 advantage headinginto intermission.

The Franklin County coaching staff, under the direction of O’Quinn,and assistants Adam Barron, Tony Gibbs, Tommy Gibbs, Brent Calcote,Todd Haygood, and Jonathan Brooks; made sure the Dawgs were in topgear for the battle with the Eagles.

Linebackers Andy Morris and Jeremy Hunt provided sound hits as theDawgs overpowered South Pike with bruising tackles and solidblocks. Morris led all defenders with nine tackles and a fumblerecovery. Hunt added eight tackles.

Griffin’s long touchdown run in the third quarter of 50-yards shotdown all of the Eagles momentum in a closely-fought game. FC seniorrunning back James Green added a 2-point conversion run followingthe score.

“We’ve still got some things we’ve got to clean up,” said O’Quinn.”We had way too many penalties tonight.”

The Bulldogs were penalized 12 times for 85 yards, compared to sixpenalties by South Pike for a mere 30 yards.

South Pike scored its only touchdown on defense, returning aBulldog fumble 22 yards in the second quarter to tie the game at6-apiece.

“Our defense played a good game,” said O’Quinn. “We basicallypitched a shutout.”