Franklin Co. conquers Natchez in 7-on-7 at Co-Lin

Published 8:00 pm Friday, June 22, 2012

WESSON – Franklin County coach Rickey O’Quinn was worried about a rematch with Natchez but his team didn’t disappoint. O’Quinn’s Meadville-based Bulldogs claimed the Co-Lin 7-on-7 Football Tournament Thursday afternoon in sweat-soaked Stone Stadium, dumping Natchez 29-17 in the finals and finishing unbeaten.

     Franklin County senior quarterback Jay Davis hooked up with Chris Robinson for the insurance touchdown. Natchez had one last opportunity but  Darren Wiley broke up a pass by promising Natchez sophomore quarterback Anthony Robinson.

     Natchez had eliminated Ocean Springs 34-21 in the semifinals. Franklin County ousted Vicksburg to reach the title game undefeated. Ocean Springs, under the direction of former Brookhaven coach Ryan Ross, brought two teams to the competition. Also entered were Brookhaven and Parklane Academy.

     “We loved it,” was how the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Davis described his experience. “We went undefeated. We have real good young receivers.”

     Coach O’Quinn said he was pleased with his team’s performance. “It was a great day for our quarterback and wide receivers and our secondary.  We went  to Mississippi State last Friday and made it to the semifinals. Then we went all the way today.”

     O’Quinn praised his quarterback. “Jay had a great day. He’s a 3-year starter and I’m proud of him.

     “He’s going to the Elite 150 at Jackson Prep on Friday. He has grown up a lot.”

     Three of Davis’ talented young receivers are Ricky Wilson, Damarris Tyler and Bernard Selmon. Davis also worked at safety in the secondary.

     “We all know that 7-on-7 isn’t football but it’s a good experience for our passing offense and defense,” said O’Quinn. His Bulldogs had defeated Natchez in the morning session.

     Parklane, under the direction of former BHS offensive coordinator Mike Powell, defeated the Ole Brook Panthers in the morning session. Powell’s Pioneers were the smallest  team entered in the tourney and Franklin County was the only Class 3A entry.

     Natchez, Vicksburg and Ocean Springs are 6A. Brookhaven is 5A.

     Co-Lin defensive coordinator Larry Williams served as tournament director. Head coach Glenn Davis was in charge of the concession stand, which provided lunch plates of hamburgers and hotdogs for the participants.

     “We had a good day,” said Davis. “All the coaches said their teams got plenty of work today, even though we had fewer teams than last year.”

     Three notable absentees were Hazlehurst, Bogue Chitto and Brookhaven Academy, which won last year’s tourney.