WOODVILLE – As Devin Voorhies goes, so does the Wilkinson County Wildcats.

Friday night in Woodville, the 6-2, 192-pound senior showcased why he is one of the top players in the state by accounting for over 400 all purpose yards and five touchdowns in a 40-28 win over rival Franklin County.

The win gives the Wildcats (5-2, 1-0) an early lead in the Region 7-3A standings, plus a two-year win streak over the Bulldogs. Franklin High (3-3, 0-1) plays host to defending 3A State Champion Hazlehurst (6-1, 1-0) Friday in Meadville.

“Devin had a big game for us and so did Chris Robinson for them,” said Wilkinson County head coach Ken Brown. “It was a heck of a ball game.”

Robinson, the Bulldogs 5-10, 185-pound senior running back scored the first touchdown in the contest, off a 50-yard run.

The Wildcats, who were celebrating homecoming, would not back down. Voorhies directed two scoring strikes, one a 16-yard pass to Nicholas Hall and another a 70-yard keeper he took down the sidelines.

The Bulldogs answered with a scoring strike from Malik Moore to DeMarrius Tyler of 38-yards to put FCHS ahead at intermission 14-12.

Seconds into the second half, Robinson returned the opening kickoff 86 yards untouched, to put the Bulldogs ahead 20-12.

Wilkinson County got back-to-back touchdown runs off 11 yards and 53 yards from La’Darion Peterson and Voorhies to gain a 26-20 edge.

As both teams traded field position in the third quarter, Robinson put the Bulldogs up once again with a two-yard plunge. FCHS led 28-26 heading into the fourth quarter.

Voorhies, an LSU commit with scholarship offers from several other SEC schools, showcased his blazing speed in the final frame once again with first down runs that eluded the Bulldogs. Voorhies scored on a three-yard run and hit Allenzae Staggers wide open with a eight yard touchdown strike with 2:47 left in the game.

The banner game Voorhies had came with 269 yards rushing on 18 carries. He also had 165 yards passing.

Robinson had 92 yards rushing on 16 attempts. Moore finished with 71 yards in the air on 5-of-7 passing.

On defense, junior DeAnthony King made a career high 16 tackles and deflected a pass. Sophomore Chris O’Quinn made 14 hits.

For the Wildcats, Elton Jolla had nine tackles and a sack. Frank Johnson added five hits and two sacks.