MEADVILLE — The Franklin County Bulldogs had victory within reach until the Lawrence County Cougars snatched it away Friday night.
The Cougars collected a 19-16 victory in double overtime, spoiling the Bulldogs’ homecoming.
Both teams traded blows the entire game, as a defensive struggle took place for the first three quarters of action.
Hayden Herring scored the Bulldogs’ first touchdown off a fumble recovery inside the endzone, which tied the game at 6 apiece going into the fourth quarter.
Lawrence County (3-2) took a 13-6 lead off a Kaylin Cooper TD run before Franklin High (0-5) answered with a Jaquan Brown 1-yard TD plunge.
Franklin County kicker Spencer Romero added the extra point that tied the game at 13-all with 7:17 remaining in the game.
After neither team scored with minutes remaining in regulation, both held one another scoreless in overtime, forcing double overtime.
In the second overtime, Franklin County took the lead with a Romero 23-yard field goal.
Lawrence County added the game winner on a 7-yard touchdown run by Kylan Cooper moments later to send the Cougars sidelines into a flurry of celebration.
Brown led the Bulldogs on offense with 105 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
Franklin county’s Dominique White had a game-high 15 tackles, and Hayden Herring had seven tackles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
The Bulldogs host newly formed Jefferson Davis County High (4-1) this week at 7 p.m.
