WESSON – Playing with their field flooded from drenching rainsMonday and Tuesday, the Franklin County Lady Soccer Bulldogs playedhost to Resurrection Catholic School in a first round Class1A/2A/3A playoff showdown at Copiah-Lincoln CommunityCollege.

The Lady Eagles won the contest 2-1, to eliminate the District 7champion Lady Bulldogs from the playoffs.

“We played one of the best games in school history,” said FC headcoach Ben Yarbrough. “I’m proud of our team and how we playedtoday, we just didn’t get the breaks in the second half.”

An early assist by 3A leading scorer Karlee Mullins to teammateSe’Driq Middleton gave the Lady Bulldogs a quick 1-0 lead beforeResurrection (District 8 runners up) came roaring back to tie thegame at 1-all right before intermission.

“Our defense played great the whole game,” added Yarbrough. “Ican’t say enough about their effort this whole year it’s been offthe charts.”

Franklin County came into the game fearing that their speed andquickness would not be enough to hang with the Gulf Coast ladensoccer power, but the Lady Bulldogs surprised themselves and theLady Eagles, too.

“We had several opportunities in the second half,” saidYarbrough.

The Lady Bulldogs (16-6-1) watched several close shots fall shortor away from the goal. Franklin High kept its strong offense goingwith saves from its defensive leader in goalkeeper HaleyNetherland. The Lady Eagles scored late to take advantage.

Coached by Brice Wiggins, the Lady Eagles will face St Andrews inthe second round of the playoffs.

“They are a good team and so is St. Andrews,” said Yarbrough. “Ilike the prospects of our team and what we have returning in thefuture. In the next three years I feel we’ll make a deep run at astate title. Our future is bright.”

Franklin County will only lose three seniors in Regan Scott, JerriClanton, and Netherland to graduation in the spring.