Franklin County spoils Wilkinson Co.’s homecoming

Published 10:30 pm Saturday, October 3, 2015

WOODVILLE – De’Martre Collins played the roll of spoiler Friday night, as he crashed Wilkinson County’s homecoming celebrations with a five-touchdown performance to lead his Franklin County Bulldogs to a 49-26 win over the Wildcats.

The victory by the Bulldogs (4-3) ended a two game losing streak and sets up a key Region 7-3A contest against the Hazlehurst Indians this Friday night inside Meadville’s Louie Mullins Memorial Stadium.

Wilkinson County (3-4) entered the game as the No. 2 passing offense in the nation. Wildcats senior QB Desmond Hunter threw for 386 yards in the game and two touchdowns but had three costly interceptions.

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The FCHS secondary made some big plays throughout the night to disrupt the Wildcats ‘Air Attack,’ and it gave the Bulldogs a beneficial win in hostile territory.

“This was a big win for us,” said Collins, who had two interceptions while playing cornerback on the night.

The cat-quick Collins, a junior playmaker for the Bulldogs turned Wildcat Stadium into his own personal playground early with a 10-yard scamper to put the Bulldogs ahead. The Bulldogs got a 66-yard touchdown pass from QB Jacob McDaniel to split end Antonio Christmas in the second quarter to enter halftime up 14-12 after two Thomas Slagle PAT’s.

In the third quarter, Collins again showcased his 4.45 40-yard dash speed with a 47-yard touchdown run. Courtney Smith added a score of his own moments later on a 4-yard touchdown run.

Smith, who has battled nagging injuries earlier in the season was finally up to full speed Friday night. He rushed for a career high 207 yards on 32 attempts.

Still it was Collins’ night. He added touchdown runs of 4, 9 and 13 yards in the fourth frame to put the finishing touches on the Bulldogs win. He finished with 110 yards rushing on 11 carries and five touchdowns.

Defensively, Cameron Young led the Bulldog defense with two tackles and two sacks. Ryan Johnson contributed eight tackes. Keonte Bee, Jonquavis Sanders and Chris O’Quinn provided five tackles each O’Quinn also intercepted a pass.