MEADVILLE – Wilkinson County’s Wildcats threw everything theycould at Franklin County Friday night, but the Bulldogs didn’tbudge. The Dawgs celebrated Homecoming 2010 in style with a 42-20victory over the Wildcats as they shut down Wilkinson County’s AirAttack and its All-State receiver Devin Fossleman.

Franklin Co. travels to Hazlehurst Friday for a Region 7-3Ashowdown. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

The Wildcats (4-2, 0-1) came into the game boasting two MississippiState commitments in 6-foot-4, 270-pound lineman James Maiden andFosselman, a 6-1, 190-pound wide out who was averaging 120 yardsreceiving per game.

Both players left Meadville dazed and confused after the Bulldogsmauled them both. Fossleman was held to a career-low 49 yardsreceiving on 7 catches. FC seniors Milton Griffin and CalvinRobinson held the talented receiver to one catch in the firsthalf.

“I’m proud of my players and what we did tonight,” said FC headcoach Rickey O’Quinn Jr. “We’re a battle-tested group.”

Franklin County (3-4, 1-0) didn’t hold anything back on theWildcats. Pre-game trash talk between the clubs proved meaninglessafter one quarter of play as the Bulldogs carried a quick 20-0lead.

“Our guys stepped up,” added O’Quinn. “We challenged them and toldthem this was the second season.”

Junior fullback Jimmy Barnes started the scoring spree by plungingthrough the Wilkinson County defensive line for a 3-yard touchdown.Sophomore QB Jay Davis added the next two scores, one a 2-yard runand the other a 60-yard pass to Griffin.

In the second quarter, the Franklin County defense stepped up bycausing a fumble in which senior defensive end Jeremy Washingtonscooped up the football for a 31-yard touchdown return. The looseball was caused by a hit by FC linebacker Andy Morris put onWildcats QB Brian Montgomery.

Barnes, a 6-1, 215-pounder; added a 13-yard jaunt late in thesecond quarter to give FCHS a 35-0 lead heading intointermission.

“We took a butt-whipping, especially in the first half,” saidWilkinson County coach Elbert Lyles about his team’sperformance.

Following halftime, the Bulldogs kept the scoring spree going asGriffin hit senior running back Billy Norman for a slashing 30-yardtouchdown reception. Senior kicker Coleman Graves added theextra-point, his fourth of the night, for a 42-0 lead.

Wilkinson County added 20 points in the fourth quarter against theFranklin reserves. Montgomery hit Kenyon McDonald for two scores inthe air from 10 and 20 yards out. Stevenson Veals added the otherscore on a 3-yard TD scamper.

“Everybody was talking about how much talent Wilkinson County hason its team,” said FC senior cornerback Paul Williams. “We’ve gotmore talented players than them and we proved that tonight.”

FC junior linebacker Jeremy Hunt led the defense with eighttackles. Barnes added seven tackles. Morris was credited with sixhits, a sack and forced two fumbles. James Green and CalvinRobinson each had an interception.

Offensively, the Bulldogs were led by Jay Davis with 4-of-7 passingfor 130 yards and two TDs. He added three carries on the ground for38 yards.

“We’re back,” said FC junior receiver Fred Coleman who recordedthree catches for 42 yards. “The road through 3A will go through uslike always.”