MEADVILLE — Mammoth Franklin County center Sam Moore lay nearlymotionless on the cold football field Friday night. Trainers andcoaches rushed to his aid, kneeling and squatting around the6-foot-3, 280-pound senior.

Backup center Patrick Brown took a deep breath of chilly air andtrotted onto the field, joining the Franklin County offense.Finally, Moore was helped to his feet. His left leg was almost limpas he gallantly tried to walk off the field, escorted by a loudround of applause.

Moore, diagnosed with either a hyper-extended left knee or atorn ACL, didn’t return to the heated action. Brown (5-11, 220,sr.) played admirably in a critical situation.

For sure, the entire Franklin County Bulldog football teamplayed well in a clutch situation. They were battling high-poweredHazlehurst for the South State Class 3A championship in jam-packedLouie Mullins Memorial Stadium.

The Bulldogs broke a 7-7 deadlock 2 plays later as quarterbackJamie Collins took the snap from Brown and scored on a sneak. Theywould score another second quarter touchdown and hang on for thehistoric victory over the defending state champion Indians.

The pupil’s of Brown’s blue eyes grew larger as he and histeammates celebrated the hard-fought championship. They weresurrounded by a sea of Bulldog fans at midfield.

“I just went in there and did my job,” said the soft-spokenBrown. “I just had to do my job.”

Mission accomplished.

How does it feel to be heading for Jackson and the statechampionship game.

“It’s awesome to go to state,” was Brown’s replay.

Franklin County head football coach Grady McCluskey said he hadconfidence in Brown. “Patrick was our center in two or three gameswhen we were having problems with snaps. He didn’t have any badsnaps tonight even though he was in a tough situation.

“We didn’t have any bad snaps on shotgun or under center. He’sanother one of our seniors who has worked hard his wholecareer.”

For the Bulldogs, it will be their first state championshipappearance since 1994 when they lost to powerful Amory. Awaitingthem Saturday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium will be theundefeated (14-0) and pass-happy Nettleton Tigers who whippedRipley 55-22 for the North State championship.

McCluskey said defense was a key to his team’s triumph.Hazlehurst’s potent offense was averaging nearly a point a minute.A stable of running backs were blessed with blazing speed. Theycould also stop and start on a dime.

“What can you say about our defense?” asked McCluskey. “Weoutflanked them (Indians) and stuffed them. I’m proud of my kids.I’m proud of the whole team.”

Franklin County senior linebacker Gary Rogers was surrounded byfriends and family after the game. Asked about his team’sperformance, Rogers smiled and said, “You know that defense winschampionships.

“We are the No. 1 defense in the state,” Rogers noted. “Wepracticed hard and pulled together as a team to stopHazlehurst.”

The Indians appeared ready to make a momentum change late in thefirst half after trailing 21-7. They had gained a first-and-goal atthe FCHS 2-yard line. The Bulldogs stepped up big and tackled theIndians for 3 straight losses totaling a minus-7 yards. They neverrecovered.

Franklin County defensive coach Tony Gibbs said he was proud ofthe defense. “We have a bunch of seniors and juniors who haveworked hard and really matured.”

First-year Hazlehurst coach Vernon Perry was disappointed by thesetback. He cited the loss of running backs Courtney Hall and BobbyMoore to ankle injuries during the game, but he also praised theBulldogs.

“Franklin County has some grown men out there,” said Perry. “Weare a 50 to 60-point team but we just didn’t play well. We playedbad the first half. Franklin County has a good, physical team.”

Perry said the Bulldogs’ goal-line stand at the close of thefirst half was decisive.”If we could have scored at the two (yardline), we would have been in the game.”

Bulldog defensive tackle Bo Tillman (6-6, 300, jr.) toweredabove his teammates as they celebrated. He had made a 1-handed grabof an errant Hazlehurst pass in the final minute of the game.

“I just reached up and caught it,” said Tillman, grinning.

Yes, it does feel great to reach the state championshipgame.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com