MEADVILLE — Fred Coleman turned Louie Mullins Memorial Stadium into his own personal playground Friday night, scoring three touchdowns and accounting 235 all-purpose yards en route to a 20-18 Franklin County upset over Lawrence County.
“This was a big win for us,” said Bulldogs coach Rickey O’Quinn Jr. “We showed we could win a close game, and that means a lot to this team.”
Coleman, the Bulldogs’ 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior, lined up everywhere on the field, playing receiver, running back, quarterback, returning kicks, plus safety and cornerback.
“I just did what I had to do,” said Coleman, who caught two touchdown passes and ran in another. “Big players make big plays.”
The Bulldogs are 4-2 overall and will play at Wilkinson County this week. Franklin County has won two straight.
“Give Franklin County credit. They have a good squad,” said Lawrence County coach Mike Davis. “It was a knock-down drag-out ball game.”
Davis and his Cougars were playing without the services of seven starters due to injuries. Lawrence County played an inspiring game, despite two costly turnovers in the final seconds of both halves which helped Franklin County prevail.
The Bulldogs used a Lawrence County fumble in the final 20 seconds to take a 13-7 lead into halftime when Jay Davis hit Coleman in the end zone for a leaping 22-yard reception as time expired.
“I had to get that one,” Coleman said, smiling.
Coleman scored the first touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run earlier in the second quarter. The score was set up by a 17-yard run by sophomore Chris Robinson, who finished the game with 21 carries for 124 yards.
Lawrence County’s Will Turnage scored on a 9-yard run with 0:56 remaining.
In the second half, Lawrence County cut the deficit to one point again with a 15-yard touchdown run from quarterback LaQuan Hillard. The Cougars failed to convert the two-point conversion.
Sensing momentum swinging, the Bulldogs scored on third-and-25 as Davis hit Coleman for a 77-yard catch and run reception. Coleman outraced several Lawrence County defenders the last 47 yards en route to scoring.
fourth quarter 3 minutes left 5-yard
Jamorris Shaw scored on a busted play. missed a hand off but still scored.
0-0
We fumbled the ball eight times.
We moved the ball pretty well, but we fumbled too many times.
It was a combination. I thought we moved the ball, but when you fumble the ball it’s hard to be effective.
Defense did real good. Jefferson had a chance to tie the game. They had the ball inside our 1-yard line. two times at the one yard line and they didnt get in.
QB sneaked twice and didn’t get it. dline did an excellent job.
we stopped them last play of the game
they played an excellent game.
you don’t ever want to turn the football over.
it showed a lot of character. offense had a big night and the defense picked up the slack.
we responded the correct way. that was a plus for the team.
defense played well all night.
Always good to have that confidence going into district. it could have gone either way. now we can get ready for district play.
He started. it was my choice. He had his troubles but he hung in there and young man ninth grader. he over came a lot of adversity.
Off the field issue.
