MEADVILLE — Both coaches agree that there is no love lost between the Tylertown Chiefs and the Franklin County Bulldogs, which makes Friday night's Class 3A South State Championship showdown even more special between two fearless division rivals.
“We know them and they know us and that’s enough said,” Tylertown head coach Walter Denton said. “It’s a rivalry game, and we both want to win. We’ve beat them the last two times, and they don’t think we can do it a third.”
The Chiefs (11-0) will make a return trip to Franklin County (12-1) Friday night with kickoff set for 7 in Meadville’s Louie Mullins Memorial Stadium.
In the 3A North State finals, defending 3A champion Louisville plays host to Aberdeen.
Tylertown beat the Bulldogs 13-7 earlier this season in Meadville to wrap up the Region 7-3A crown. Franklin County hasn’t collected a win over the Chiefs since 2006. The last five meetings between the Chiefs and Bulldogs have been decided by six points or less.
“They (Tylertown) are a fast and extremely physical team,” Bulldogs coach Trent Hammond. said “We didn’t do a good job against them the first time, but hopefully this time we will.”
Franklin County was without the services of two-way starters Jordan Hunt and Alex Smith in the first meeting with the Chiefs, due to injuries. Both seniors are back in the starting lineup for the Bulldogs.
“We’re peaking at a good time right now,” Denton said. “We have no injuries and our team is fairly healthy. We’re ready to play.”
Last week. Tylertown eliminated Newton County 14-7 thanks to two goal line stands by its defense. Junior linebacker Cornelius Lee made 10 tackles in the win, while juniors Jameon Lewis and Didriques Smith scored touchdowns for the Chiefs.
Tylertown has beaten Raleigh, Magee and Newton County in the playoffs to make it to their first ever South State appearance,
“This is the first time we’ve been this far,” Denton said. “Everyone is excited.”
Franklin County, who knocked off Columbia last week 7-0, will be making its fifth South State finals appearance. The Bulldogs got a 15-yard touchdown run from Alex Smith last week to advance. Senior running back Damien Burnett rushed for 157 yards on 24 carries in the win, while junior defensive tackle Bobby O’Quinn registered 10 tackles and a sack. The Franklin County defense held Columbia to a season-low 54 yards.
The Bulldogs have beaten Southeast Lauderdale, Hazlehurst and Columbia in the playoffs to reach South State. Franklin County has also played for the South State championship four out of the last five years. The Bulldogs have won the last two South State crowns, winning the state championship in 2006. Franklin County is 3-1 all time in the South State Finals.
“We’ve just got to come ready to play all four quarters,” Hammond said. “This is the biggest game of the season and it’s going to be a war.”
Both Franklin County and Tylertown have been out of school the entire week in observance of Thanksgiving. The Chiefs have conducted practice sessions in the morning, while the Bulldogs have had afternoon drills.
