With visions of winning their first game of the 2017 season, the Franklin County Bulldogs held a 14-0 lead over the Lumberton Panthers before watching it disappear into thin air.
The Class 1A Panthers defeated the 3A Bulldogs 34-17 Friday night in Lumberton.
Led by Clay Wright’s fumble return of 54 yards for a touchdown, the Bulldogs held an early 7-0 lead with 7:07 left in the first quarter. Kicker Spencer Romero added the extra point.
The Bulldogs added to their advantage with a Dawson Rockhold 45-yard interception return for a touchdown to make it 14-0.
The Panthers (3-1) used their abundance of speed to answer back.
Kee’von Fells recovered a fumble and returned it 33 yards for a score, which cut the Bulldogs lead 14-6 going into halftime.
In the third quarter, Lumberton's Davion Edwards scored on a 2-yard run and added the 2-point conversion run with 6:07 in the period to tie the game at 14-all.
Romero connected on a 37-yard field goal with 40 seconds left in the quarter to put the Bulldogs back up 17-14.
Lumberton reeled off a fourth-quarter scoring spree to take the lead back.
Edwards scored on a 3-yard run at the 9:07 mark to give Lumberton a 20-17 lead.
Robert Henry, the Panthers standout running back added two touchdown runs later in the period to give the Panthers a commanding lead.
Horry finished the game with 20 carries for 105 yards, and two scores.
The fast and furious Lumberton defense held the Bulldogs to a mere four first downs and minus-10 yards rushing on 35 carries, plus minus-two yards passing on their only completion.
The Bulldogs committed four turnovers.
Franklin County (0-4) will play host to Lawrence County Friday night inside Meadville’s Louie Mullins Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7.
Lawrence County will enter the game 2-2 after a 40-37 win over Bay in overtime Friday.
