MEADVILLE — With bragging rights and playoff seeding at stake, the Franklin County Bulldogs collected a convincing 16-0 win over rival Jefferson County Friday night to wrap up the No. 3 seed in Region 7-3A.
The Bulldogs (7-4, 3-2) travel to McLaurin next Friday night to begin first-round action in the 3A playoffs.
“This was a big team victory,” Bulldogs coach Rickey O’Quinn Jr said. “Our defense played lights out once again.”
The Bulldogs got their third win in a row and their second straight shutout from the defense.
“We had some big plays on both sides of the ball,” O’Quinn said. “Our defense hasn’t allowed a point for nine quarters now.”
Franklin County junior running back Chris Robinson added to his banner season by scoring two touchdowns and rushing for 185 yards on 28 carries.
Robinson, a 5-foot, 10-inch, 165-pound speedster, has rushed for nearly 1,500 yards this season and scored a 3A-leading 28 touchdowns.
“His touchdowns tonight were huge for us,” O’Quinn said.
Robinson also set the school record for touchdowns scored in a season, surpassing the old mark of 26, set by Deandre Cameron in 2004.
Defense, not touchdowns, was the theme of the contest. Both teams entered halftime in a scoreless deadlock.
“Penalties hurt us in the first half,” O’Quinn said. “We had chances to put points on the board but didn’t.”
Robinson added the first points of the game in the third quarter off a direct snap 10-yard scamper. Senior kicker Matt Brasher added the PAT.
Jefferson County tried to answer the score, but big hits by the Bulldogs’ Darl McDonald, Troy Norman, Trey Hannon and Darin Wiley kept the visitors in check
The Bulldogs got a safety in the fourth quarter after five straight penalties on Jefferson County near the goal line.
Later, Franklin County senior Ricky Wilson made a spectacular interception from his cornerback position that led to a game-sealing 54-yard touchdown run from Robinson moments later.
“I’m proud for our seniors to get this win on Senior Night,” O’Quinn said. “It was a good one for them.”
Seventeen Franklin High seniors were honored before the game, and each savored the win afterwards with bragging rights over their closest division rival.
On defense, Robinson led the Bulldogs with eight tackles. Wilson notched six tackles, deflected three passes, and hauled in an interception.
