JACKSON — The last rung on the ladder is within reach for Franklin County.
The Bulldogs will defend last year’s 3A title in Saturday afternoon’s state championship game against Louisville in Jackson’s Memorial Stadium. Kickoff will be at 3.
“It’s the two best teams in 3A,” Louisville head coach Brad Peterson said. “The matchup everybody wanted to see, they got.”
Louisville, who has beaten Kossuth, Charleston, Ripley, and Corinth in claiming the 3A North State Championship is paced by junior QB Clayton Moore, who has passed for 3,004 yards and 29 touchdowns this season.
“He’s a good player that makes good decisions,” Franklin County head coach Grady McCluskey said. “They will be the best team we have seen this year, no doubt.”
The Wildcats (11-3) lost to Wayne County, Starkville, and 4A finalist Noxubee County earlier this season before rebounding and winning their last seven straight.
“We played some really good teams early on,” Peterson said. “Playing strong competition only makes you stronger.”
Franklin County (12-2) enters the game fresh from a 38-13 victory over Raleigh. The Bulldogs beat Sumrall, Morton and Newton County en route to claiming their second straight South State Championship. Franklin County has won its last eight games since losing to Jefferson County the first weekend in October.
“We’re going to have to come ready to play Saturday,” McCluskey said. “Louisville has a lot of weapons on offense and a good defense and kicking game. They have been good in 4A forever, and now they are in their first year in 3A.”
Both the Bulldogs and Wildcats rolled through the playoffs despite having third-round scares. Franklin County overcame a 23-7 second quarter deficit on the road at Newton County, to win 43-23. Louisville also overcame a second quarter deficit of 19-0 at Ripley and won 28-22.
Speedster Dennis Thames is Louisville’s playmaker. Thames, a 5-foot-11-inch, 180-pound junior, has caught eight touchdowns and has also rushed for eight more.
“I just try and make plays anywhere I can,” Thames said.
“We’ve been doing our best every game,” Josh Tillman said. “We want another ring, and we’re one game away from getting it.”
The Bulldogs will be the home team Saturday in the first-ever matchup between the two teams.
