COLLINS – Milton Griffin might have to add another nickname tohis list, this one titled: “The Human Joystick.” The cat-quickFranklin County senior danced around Collins defenders Friday nightwith ease as the Bulldogs pranced to a 27-6 victory over the Tigersin the first round of the Class 3A State Playoffs.

Griffin, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound All-State defensive back, showcasedhis speed on the offensive side of the ball and special teams,accounting for 161 all-purpose yards and returning a punt 88 yardsin the first quarter to set the tone for the game.

“I can’t say enough about Milton and his desire to win,” saidFranklin County head football coach Rickey O’Quinn Jr. “As a teamwe played the best we’ve had all season. For four quarters we keptit going tonight.”

The Dawgs (5-7) will play host to Class 3A’s No. 1-ranked Forest(12-0) Bearcats Friday night in Louie Mullins Memorial Stadium.Game time has been set for 7 p.m.

“We’re going to be ready for Forest,” said FC junior safety FredColeman, who registered three tackles and an interception againstCollins. “Big players step up at big times. We’ve got to continueto step up.”

Fullback Jimmy Barnes, a 6-1, 215-pound junior, ran for 106 yardson 25 carries. He was the first Bulldog back to break the 100-yardplateau this season.

“We got the win, now it’s on to the next one,” said Barnes, whoscored on touchdown runs of four and two yards respectively Fridaynight off big blocks from senior offensive linemen Preston Sheltonand DeMeachey Hickingbottom.

Defensively the Bulldogs forced Collins (7-5) into mistakes. TheTigers had five turnovers (4 Interceptions, 1 fumble) in thecontest. FC senior defensive end Jeramany Washington led the teamin tackles with 7 hits and picked off a pass for a 10-yardtouchdown return.

James Green and Jay Davis made an interception as well, whileJeremy Hunt added five tackles and recovered a fumble. JalenWashington, Andy Morris, Billy Norman and Hickingbottom each made asack.

“Defense played lights out,” said O’Quinn. “We kept them incheck.”

The only Collins score came in the first quarter, off a 65-yardpass from quarterback Brian Luckett to receiver Martez King. TheBulldogs led 7-6 after senior Billy Norman blocked the extra-pointattempt. Franklin County added three more scores in the next 20minutes to take advantage.

FC senior kicker Coleman Graves was 3-for-3 on extra-pointattempts.

“It’s us against the world,” added O’Quinn, about the Bulldogs’next opponent. “Not many people felt we could beat Collins. Evenmore will say that against Forest Friday night.

“We’ve just to come ready to play because we’re going to have ourwork cut out for us.”

The second round collision Friday will mark the third meeting insix seasons between the Bearcats and Bulldogs in the playoffs.