MEADVILLE — Apparently, Franklin County prefers being theunderdog. Defense and a punishing ground attack delivered theBulldogs a 6-0 Friday night victory over the Ole Brook Panthers inLouie Mullins Memorial Stadium.

Marcus Tillman, Franklin County’s powerful senior defensive end,was soaked with sweat on a sweltering night as his teammates walkedoff the field. Pausing between the goal posts, Tillman savored theupset.

“It feels good to beat Brookhaven,” said Tillman (6-4, 260) whohad played tight end on offense. “Everytime we get picked to lose,we usually win.”

Tillman, who has verbally committed to sign with LSU inFebruary, was often double and triple-teamed by Brookhaven’soffensive line. He blocked a punt and was credited with 4tackles.

A standing-room-only crowd witnessed the defensive strugglebetween two preseason ranked teams. Ole Brook, the defending Class4A state champion, was ranked No. 4. Franklin County was ranked No.3 in Class 3A.

“I’m happy to beat the No. 4 team in 4A,” said FCHS first-yearhead coach Grady McCluskey. “I don’t care if it’s 6-0, 32-0 or100-0.

“We had some doubters about our defense,” McCluskey noted. “Wewon the toss and put our defense on the field first.”

McCluskey’s strategy worked well. The Panthers were forced topunt and Will Thibodeaux’s punt was partially blocked, going out ofbounds at the Brookhaven 44-yard line.

Seven plays later, Bulldog fullback D.J. Shaw followed hisblockers and plunged the final 7 yards for the touchdown. The PATkick by Dane Hodges was blocked by Anthony Caffie.

“We knew we could be strong and run the ball,” said Shaw, amuscular, 6-foot, 245-pound senior who also starts atlinebacker.

The Panthers relied mainly on the hard running of CharlesWilson. He was gang-tackled most of the night, swarmed under by apack of dark blue jerseys. He led all rushers with 20 carries for112 yards.

“Franklin County has a big ol’ strong, physical team,” said OleBrook head coach Tucker Peavey. “Our kids did great on defense.

“I saw a lot of good things on defense but our offense playedterrible,” Peavey continued. “We must execute on offense and getbetter.”

Peavey’s Panthers appeared on the verge of a touchdown in thefourth quarter. Wilson raced 13 yards for a first down at the10-yard line. Wilson limped off the field and was replaced byPatrick Ayers who gained 6 yards to the 4 after an incomplete passby sophomore quarterback Charles Rancifer.

On third down, Rancifer tried to hit wide receiver Montral Smithin the end zone. Bulldog safety Mike Hunt picked off the pass andreturned it to the 10-yard line, with 6:05 left in the game.

Hunt (6-2, 205, jr.) said he was looking for a pass. “I read thequarterback and I saw (Smith) was going to turn in front of me.

“I give thanks to Coach (Paul) Purvis,” FC’s new defensivecoordinator. “The coaches prepared us to play. We played greatdefense.”

McCluskey agreed. “That was a heckuva play by No. 4 (Hunt’sjersey). He played a great game at safety.”

Peavey called the interception a lack of execution. “Our runningback (Wilson) was hurt. I thought we had a chance with a pass.”

The Panthers regained possession at Franklin’s 37-yard line with3:43 left to play. A holding penalty erased a Wilson rush for afirst down. Four plays later Bulldog safety Sedretric Chamblissintercepted Rancifer at the Bulldog 30-yard line and returned thetheft to midfield.

On defense, the Bulldogs were led by Rogers with 8 tackles. BoTillman, a 6-foot-6, 315-pound sophomore defensive end, made 6tackles.

Ole Brook returns home to host the South Pike Eagles Fridaynight. Franklin County plays at Lawrence County.