MEADVILLE – Heart break!

That’s the feeling that hit Louie Mullins Stadium Friday night.The Amite County Trojans produced a buzzer-beating 32-27nail-biter, which ended the Franklin County Bulldogs’ playoffhopes.

“I guess it wasn’t meant to be,” said Bulldog head coach MichaelGoff. “This one hurts. It hurts our seniors especially.”

The Bulldogs (3-6, 3-2) took an imposing 27-26, game-winninglead with 45 seconds left in the battle off a Shirmon McNair threeyard plunge.

The Trojans (3-6, 3-2) would issue a 45 second, 80-yard drive.Senior quarterback Rickey Allen completed his first pass of thegame as the buzzer sounded to senior wide-out Leroy Nunnery, forthe game-winning touchdown.

“We knew we had to throw it, because Franklin’s defense was setfor the run, said Amite County Trojan head coach Charles Jackson.”This was probley the worst-called game I have ever seen in all myyears of coaching. The best call they (officials) made was the oneat the end.”

The Trojans and Dawgs began the game in a defensive mode.Injuries plagued the Bulldogs in the first seven minutes. One ofthe injuries occurred on a 31-yard scamper by junior wingback TommySmith who was quickly upended on his first carry. A strange Trojantackle produced a cut on Smith’s forehead.

The second quarter issued the first score of the night as McNairdashed six yards for the Bulldog touchdown celebration. After aCole Zumbro PAT sailed wide left, the Bulldogs held a 6-0 lead.

The Trojans answered as senior runningback Barry Crockett brokeseven Bulldog tackles for the 76-yard scamper. After a MichaelJackson PAT sailed a yard short, the Trojans and Dawgs were tied atsix.

The Trojans answered the Bulldog fumble with a Halloween trickthat equaled a surprising Trojan treat. The trick, a Crockett passout of his runningback position, connected with Banks from 37 yardsout. After the two-point pass attempt fell incomplete. The Trojanstreated the Bulldogs to a 12-6 halftime lead.

After an entertaing halftime, the Bulldogs came unto fieldfighting mad after the halftime speech from Coach Goff.

Goff’s Dawgs totally dominated the Trojans during the thirdquarter, scoring twice off runs from senior wingback WesleyHickingbottom and junior playmaker Walter Anderson.

The first score of the second half was setup by a McNair 33-yardexplosion. Hickingbottom answered his teammates steps with a fouryard scoring run. After the Zumbro PAT, the Bulldogs led 13-12.

Playing tough defense, the Dawgs regained the ball at their 49on an Anderson 18-yard punt return. Anderson’s number was calledupon 50 seconds later as he scored on a 10-yard sprint. Afteranother Zumbro PAT, the Bulldogs led the Trojans 20-12.

That grip would only last 26 seconds, as j u n i o r NathanielBanks cleared the Bulldog air with a 97 yard kickoff return. Aftera failed two point run attempt by Crockett, the Trojans trailed20-18.

As the fourth quarter started the Bulldogs and Trojans exchangedpunts. The Trojans found the early answer as Crockett produced runsof 15 and 20, that setup first and 10 at the Bulldog 19.

On first down the Trojans quickly tossed the ball to Crockettfor a quick six yard gain. Second down featured one of the hardesthits ever seen and heard as Bulldog cornerback Walter (Mane)Anderson introduced himself to Crockett at the Bulldog 11 with abody-shocking stop. Crockett quickly shook the stunning hit off andscored his third touchdown of the night from 14 yards out. AfterCrockett added the two-point conversion, the Trojans led 26-20.

As the Dawgs regained the ball on the kickoff. Hickingbottom wasstripped of the ball as he crossed the 40. Senior guard BrandonTouchstone recovered the ball at their 45 yard line.

After runs of 10, 8, and 6 by Bulldog senior fullback WadeWoodcock, the Bulldogs went to McNair for a quick 14 yard gainer.After an off-sides penalty on the Trojans the Bulldogs faced firstand five at Trojan 12. McNair was automatic again blasting theTrojan line with a huge six yard run for a Bulldog first down.

On first and goal the Trojans gave McNair a no-yard grin,backing the Dawgs up to the Trojan eight. After a no gainer onsecond down, the Bulldogs went to Woodcock for an important twoyard plunge. On fourth down the Dawgs drew the blitzing Trojansoff-sides, for a half a distance to the goal-line penalty. Facingfourth and goal at the Trojans three, the Bulldogs went to McNaironce more for a huge three yard score. After the Zumbro PAT splitthe uprights, the Bulldogs held a 27-26 lead with 45 seconds leftin the game.

On the kickoff, Zumbro made sure no tricks would be made as hebooted one to the back of the end zone. The Trojans looked to pass,but the stingy Bulldog defense would have none of it. Facing thenoisy Bulldog crowd, the Trojans went to a fake as Crockett took tothe outside and rambled 16 yards to the Bulldog 23.

After a quarterback rollout by Trojan senior Rickey Allen forthree yards the Trojans quickly spiked the ball on second down,stopping the clock with 0:02 remaining.

That’s when the unthinkable happened as Allen connected withNunnery from 23 yards out as the final horn sounded. The Trojanbench cleared in an uproar of celebration as the Bulldogs fell totheir knees in disbelief.

“This game is just a taste of how life is,” said Coach Goff in atearful field house. “Things like this happen. We’ve got to putthis one behind us and fight for our pride against WilkinsonCounty.”

With the Trojan win, the Wildcats of Wilkinson County arecrowned repeat champions of Division 6-3A. Amite County must nowbeat North Pike Friday at Liberty to earn the runner-upposition.

The Dawgs chances at the playoffs have been downgraded to theslimmest of hopes, needing a North Pike victory over the TrojansFriday night plus a Jefferson County upset of Port Gibson.

Offensively for the Dawgs, McNair led the Franklin County attackwith 112 yards on 20 carries. Hickingbottom added 10 carries on 91yards.

For the Trojans, Barry Crockett led all rushers with an eyeopening 339 yards on 22 carries. Crockett amassed 426 all purposeyards on three touchdowns.

On defense the Dawgs were led by Anderson with 8tackles. Senior Josh O’Neal had seven tackles and a sack. Chippingin with six tackles and two assists was James Hunt, Jahard Faust,Hickingbottom, and Woodcock. Sophomore defensive linemen TaylorMcMinn helped the Bulldog cause with 5 tackles and 1 assists. CoryBradford had an interception.

For the Trojans Antonio Carroll led with 10 tackles, onefumble recovery, and a sack. Allen, Jackson, and Banks chipped inwith 7 tackles and one assist.

The Bulldogs play their final home game of the season ona prideful senior night against Division 6-3A champion WilkinsonCounty (7-1, 5-0).

The Trojans host the young North Pike Jaguars Fridaynight for a division playoff spot.

@Bbstandings: STATISTICS

AC FC

First Downs 15 16

Rushes-Yards 28-378 56-360

Passing Yards 94 0

Total Yards 472 360

Passes 5-12-1 0-3-0

Fumbles-Lost 5-1 7-2

Punts-Average 2-34.5 3-27.3

Penalties-Yards 9-70 4-30

Amite County 0 12 6 14 – 32

Franklin County 0 6 14 7 -27

SECOND QUARTER

FC – McNair 6 run (kick failed), 9:55

AC – Crockett 76 run (kick failed), 8:41

AC – Banks 37 pass from Crockett (Pass failed),1:08

THIRD QUARTER

FC – Hickingbottom 4 run (Zumbro kick),7:00

FC – Anderson 10 run (Zumbro kick), 1:45

AC – Banks 97 return (Run failed), 1:19

FOURTH QUARTER

AC – Crockett 14 run (Crockett run), 6:51

FC – McNair 3 run (Zumbro kick), 0:45

AC – Nunnery 23 pass from Allen (Not Attempted),0:00

INDIVIDUAL STATS

RUSHING: AC, B. Crockett 22-339, Banks 5-17, Russ 1-2.

FC, McNair 20-112, Hickingbottom 10-91, Brown 6-42, Anderson4-37, Smith 1-31, Davis 3 (-7).

PASSING: AC, B. Crockett 3-4-0, 65. Allen 1-3-0, 23.

Cain 1-5-1, 6. FC, Davis 0-3-0, 0.

RECEIVING: AC, Allen 3-34, Banks 1-37, Nunnery 1-23.