The Wesson Cobras dropped a district game to Franklin County Friday night 49-33.

“For the second week in a row, we have battled to the end and just came up short in the fourth quarter,” Wesson coach Jeremy Loy said after the game in Meadville. “If you take away just a couple of miscues on our end, we may have won the game. I’m proud of my guys and they are playing hard.”

The Franklin County Bulldogs, in their homecoming game, moved the ball easily in the opening quarter with three first downs on rushes by quarterback De’Martre Collins, X’avier Green and Keonte’ Bee.

Collins snuck into the end zone for the touchdown and the early lead.
Collins then leapt over a pile of Cobras’ defensive players to get the two-point conversion, putting eight points on the scoreboard for the Bulldogs. 

The Cobras struck back on their next possession with quarterback Peyton Burns tossing three passes to Will Hulon to gain significant yardage.
Jaquavion Harris and Dell Thigpen also rushed the ball, but it was Jeremiah Barlow who made it to the end zone for the touchdown.

The Cobras were unsuccessful on the two-point conversion and trailed the Bulldogs by two points, 8-6. 

The Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs early in the second quarter due to crucial tackles by Matthew Craft, Damien Smith and Jeremiah Barlow.

The Cobras took over defensive with Harris carrying the ball, but was pushed back by Bulldog defense players Ladarrius Norman and Clay Wright. The Cobras went for the pass play but Bulldog Jaquan Brown intercepted, putting Franklin County back on offense.

Bee then took it 35 yards to the end zone for another touchdown for the Bulldogs. The extra point was no good and Franklin County led 14-6.

Wesson worked their offense down the field with six first downs with carries by Harris, Barlow and Brian Thomas.

Barlow ran the ball into the end zone for his second touchdown of the night and Thigpen ran in the two-point conversion to tie the game at 14.

On their next possession, the Cobras punted on fourth down, but were able to keep the ball due to a penalty of rushing the kicker.

The Cobras were unable to take advantage of that second chance due to a bad snap that Bulldog Julian Matthews recovered and ran in for a touchdown.

Spencer Romero made the extra point bringing the score to 21-14 for the Bulldogs. The Cobras took over and moved the ball down the field and quarterback Burns snuck the ball from the one-yard line for a touchdown. The extra point was no good, putting the Cobras one point behind the Bulldogs.

On the ensuing kickoff, Collins ran it back for a touchdown. The extra point was good and the Bulldogs ended the first half leading the Cobras 28-20.

In the third quarter, Cobra Bobby Pritchard tackled kicker Romera causing him to fumble the ball. Slay Acy picked up the ball and ran it in for the Cobra touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful and the Bulldogs led 28-26.

Collins then worked the ball for five first downs with his own rushing and completed passes to Darion Jackson.

Bee carried the ball to the three-yard line and Collins rushed for another touchdown for the Bulldogs. The extra point was good moving the score to 35-26 for the Bulldogs.
On their next possession, Bee ran the ball about 50 yards for a touchdown and the extra point added seven more to the score for the Bulldogs as the teams headed into the fourth quarter with FC up 42-26.

Wesson tried to rally with three first downs with carries by Thigpen and completed passes from Burns to Hooker.  After getting sacked by Bulldog Cameron Young, Burns was intercepted by Collins.

The Bulldogs took over around midfield and moved the ball with carries by Collins, Green and Brown. Bee ran the ball into the end zone and the extra point was good to push the lead to 49-26.

The Cobras came back with Thigpen rushing more than 50 yards for a touchdown and Matthew Craft kicking the extra point.  The final score was 49-33.

The Wesson Cobras will play at home Friday against Wilkinson County. The Franklin County Bulldogs will travel to Fayette to face Jefferson County. Both games begin at 7 p.m.