MEADVILLE – As homecomings go, the Franklin County Bulldogs knewjust what they had to do to clinch their first playoff berth infour years en route to a 35-0 Friday night shutout of CrystalSprings.

The Dawgs got 373 yards in total offense for the key Region 6-3Awin.

“We, as a team, knew that with the new four team rule, we couldmake the playoffs with a win tonight,” said Bulldog senior standoutJames Hunt. “We just went out there and played as a team, and therest came.”

Hunt, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound linebacker/fullback, made life easyfor the Dawgs with a hard-fighting 103 yards on eight carries. Hissecond carry of the game resulted in a 97-yard touchdown with 6:01left in the first quarter.

“I just gave it my all,” continued Hunt. “When I saw theopening, I just ran with all I had, and thankfully, scored at theend.”

Hunt’s senior statement was followed by two more senior scoresin the second quarter as wingbacks Tommie Smith and Walter Andersonscored on runs of 18 and 14 yards for a 21-0 halftimeadvantage.

“Franklin County just ripped us in the first half defensively,”said Tiger coach Skip Beasley. “They made the plays on both sidesof the ball.”

The Dawgs continued their scoring threat in the second half onruns from junior runningback Jon Hickingbottom and sophomore CecilKinzie.

Hickingbottom’s early third quarter dash of nine yards gave theDawgs a dazzling 28-0 lead with 9:18 left in the quarter.

Kinzie, (5-8, 165), a sophomore, added the finishing toucheswith a rambling, tackle-breaking touchdown run of 37 yards. After aPAT by sophomore Chris Blackwell, the Dawgs led 35-0.

In the fourth, the Dawgs sent their talented reserves in topreserve the victory. The Dawgs are 5-3 on the season and 3-1 inthe region.

“We played well on both sides of the ball tonight,”said Bulldoghead coach Michael Goff. “We got a chance to play a lot of playerson both offense and defense.”

Goff’s Dawgs were led on defense by sophomore linebacker MarcusStewart with 12 tackles, one deflection and a fumble recovery.Juniors Jason Wyatt and Michael Smith each had nine.

For the Tigers, Brian Harper and Lakendrick Wilson led witheight stops apiece.

The Dawgs next play at Region 6-3A rival Amite County inLIberty, Friday night.

@Bbstandings:STANDINGS

CS

FC

First Downs

5

15

Rushes-Yards

28-79

38-375

Passing Yards

0

25

Total Yards

79

400

Fumbles-Lost

2-1

7-50

Penalties-Yards

11-85

7-50

Crystal Springs

0

0

0

0 – 0

Franklin County

7

14

14

0 – 35

FIRST QUARTER

FC – Hunt 57 run (kick failed) 6:01.

SECOND QUARTER

FC – T. Smith 18 run (Beach run) 11:45.

FC – Anderson 14 run (Blackwell kick) 4:12.

THIRD QUARTER

FC – Hickingbottom 9 run (Blackwell kick)9:18.

FC – Kinzie 37 run (Blackwell kick) 5:51.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: CS, A. Young 13-47, Ball 5-13, Brown 1-6, Adams6-5, Wilson 1-3, M. Young 1-2. FC, Hunt 8-105, Hickingbottom 6-80,Anderson 6-65, Kinzie 6-51, Brown 7-40, Smith 2-26, Beach 2-4,Blackwell 1-4.

PASSING:CS, A. Young 1-3-0. FC, Beach 2-7-1,25.

RECEIVERS: CS, None. FC, Brooks 1-26, Smith1-(-)1.